Sun News- October 10, 2012

DAILY SUN

MTN backs The Headies

“Y

ouths constitute the most dynam- emphasized.” “MTN has strong passion for come true. “ This is not the first time MTN is supic and largest community of IT youths and is always ready and willing to users in the world. Music is one of help them achieve their dreams. Over the porting The Headies awards, but this year’s the world’s unifying languages and if this years, MTN has identified music as one of edition is unique because of the new dimengeneration is so passionate about music, it the strongest passion points for the youths, sion to the awards. Apart from inspiring the is better to sing along with them,” General and is determined to partner with any brand next generation of Nigerian music stars, the Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN, that will make the dreams of the youths awards will be dedicated to a some of the Mr Kola Oyeyemi, stated this in less-privileged children in the Lagos during an interactive session society. with journalists.

This year’s awards will According to him, The Headies, is reward the best of Nigerian the most popular music awards and music acts in the following eight enjoys the support of MTN through categories: Artiste of the Year, sponsorship of the 2012 edition of the Song of the Year, Best Music awards scheduled to take place in Video, Best Street Hop, Best Pop October 20 at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Single, Best R&B Single, Victoria Island, Lagos. According to African Artiste of the Year and Oyeyemi, “ MTN is partnering with the coveted Next Rated which the organizers of The Headies awards comes with a car prize. because it is a rallying point for the The Headies, is managed by identification, grooming, recognizing Smooth Promotions Limited, and rewarding of Nigerian music talwhich had its debut in 2006 as ents.

The Hip-Hop World Awards and “ Music as we all know is a veritait has become one of the most ble platform to leverage the passion points of the over 40 million Nigerian L-R: CEO, Headies Award, Ayo Animashaun, Manager, Youth credible and glamorous awards youths, whose strong bias and attach- Segment, MTN, Saidat Lawal-Mohammed, Musician, for musical excellence in Nigeria. ment to music cannot be over- Omawumi.

Malaysian based artiste’s album, I Am Kingland hits town

Search for Miss Idoma begins

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o his credit, he was the first to popularise Nigerian music in Malaysia as well as brought the first Nigerian, Timaya to perform in the Asian country.

Having done so much for himself musically abroad, Justin Kingland (a.k.a Mr. Money), is set to release the Nigerian version of his 14 track album entitled, Imperial Light, I Am Kingland.

The Anambra born musician who plays Reggae, dancehall and ghetto gospel has been on the same stage with the likes of Queen Patra, Shabba Ranks, Ziggy Marley, among others.He has also worked with big music outfits in the United States like Def Jams, Rokafellas and others.

Kingland noted that he was the first to introduce Nigerian music in Abidjan and was reported to have signed on Blackfaze and Obaino to his music label before the former left the label.

Kingland

•Jane

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ll is now set for the third edition of the Miss Idoma Beauty Pageant, which holds on December 27 at the Double Resort, Otukpo, Benue State.

The winner will go home with cash prize, a brand new car, and other packages. President and coordinator of Free Image Entertainment, Janet Ameh Odoh,

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said the contest is open to ladies from Idoma in Benue State between the ages of 18–25, and aims at celebrating the beauty of the Idoma woman.

“It is expected to go a long way in empowering the youths positively towards contributing their quotas to the socio-economic development and sustainability of our great country Nigeria. It further promotes the recognition of Idoma land in terms of entertainment in Nigeria and outside the country. It will be recalled that the pageant made its debut in 2010, and won

by Blessing Ochanya Ogwuche.

The contest, which is already gathering momentum in the food basket state has captured the interest of ladies with more ladies still scrambling to purchase the form. The pageant show is an annual event and Idoma ladies are enjoined to come home and be part of the epoch-making event.

sb

SHOWBIZ

BITS Damiete Braide

damiete_braide@yahoo.com 07030059588

Tuface, D’banj, Wizkid in Let’s Get The Party STARted musical

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igeria’s hip hop stars, D’banj, Tuface, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage and MI has featured in a musical video Let’s Get The Party STARted.

The musical video has continued to create excitement in popular blogs and other social network platforms. Let’s get the party STARted was released after the relaunch of the beer and has recorded over a hundred thousand hits on YouTube after the release.

The video which was directed by Jay Sleek and Clearance Peters has enjoyed the endorsement and followership of music lovers.

Let’s get the party STARted video was recorded with best technology and quality selection of scene combined with the best sound, has been described by industry commentators as a marriage of two excellent minds.

The motion picture industry is a cultural vehicle – Osezuah

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his same society can and will raise great movie directors for the world and Nigerians will appreciate them. The count has just begun’, Elimihe Osezuah remarked when confronted with the possibility of First Cause not making it in the market.

Asked how he was able to raise funds and to have been able to shoot on 4k using the Red camera, he simply stated, ‘Faith.’

He said he pursued the dream of making First Cause with only N200,000 on hand and that at the moment of the Sneak Preview, the production had taken thirteen million Naira and counting as a lot of music pieces were still being scored for it. He stated also that as a lyricist, writer, producer and director, a good part of the above the line budget was taken care of without any financial implication.

‘I believed in the movie, so I dared to borrow for it when my money was not enough. I have two brand placements in the movie, though.’ •Osezuah

He, however, expressed disappointment that corporate Nigeria and government have up until now failed to see the strong need to engage the industry profitably. ‘Nigerians are crazy about Nigerian movies. They are inherently patriotic. You can see how they run after highly substandard local movies all because those movies are Nigerian.

When they see a good stuff, they would embrace it with joy. Is it too much to ask to make these people happy? If these are the people for whom all our manufacturers and brand builders produce their products and brands, why can’t they make these people happy by making sure they give them the good movies they crave and deserve? Our governments are more interested in what they can get from the people and are hardly willing to give to get.

The spirit here is cheap and saddening.’ Asked what he expects from government and corp o r a t e

Nigeria in relation to the industry now known as Nollywood, he cuts in, ‘in as much as the aberration ‘Nollywood’ as a descriptor for our motion picture industry has come to stay, I dare say that I detest it. Accepting to be so labeled is an insult on our cultural heritage, because it makes us apes…poor apes.

Little wonder why some of our screen ambassadors struggle to sound off as Americans! If geographical provenance is the driver here, why don’t we call it Surulere, or simply Lagos? Oh, no, we would rather be seen as a poor and dastardly imitation of the best! Are we aware that the motion picture industry is a cultural vehicle? Well that is an issue for another time’he did not delay in dropping it loud and clear, ‘there are no distribution infrastructure in place, yet, the tax here is unfeeling.

How can you hope to reap where you have not sown? Even if you do reap, what quantity would it be? Invest in cinemas, invest in DVD plants, and give credible producers grants. Our local, state and federal governments should invest in movies. What’s wrong in every local government building a cinema house with a DVD and CD sales outlet? What’s wrong in our banks financing distribution infrastruc-

ture? Do they not see the heavy returns it would bring them within a year?

The brands are more content in shooting TV commercials and broadcasting them, forgetting the PR potential of placements in movies and TV programmes. What are we doing in this world as Nigeria, playing the consumer and weak imitator? Are we really serious as a people about making this country great? The reward to this country is enormous in terms of cash if the motion picture industry is given a rise. A bustling Nigerian movie industry will open up the economy more than a revamped power (which this country needs badly, too) sector can do.

At the moment this industry is an anaemic orphan’, concluded the producer and director of First Cause, Elimihe Osezuah, a first time movie director, who has under his belt a long list of Television commercials, a few documentaries and few TV programmes since his sojourn in Lagos from 1999 as TV producer at DBN TV, copywriter and producer at Media International, then producer and Group Head, TV production, Rosabel Leo Burnett, who now runs Elose Plus Media Limited, a production ideas company located on Toyin Street Ikeja.

CMYK

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Wednesday, October 10, 2012

DAILY SUN

POLITICS...&Polity

•Metuh

•Nwanyanwu NDUBUISI ORJI writes on efforts of leading opposition political parties in the county to form an alliance to tackle the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general election.

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head of the 2015 general elections, major opposition parties in the country are making frantic efforts to forge an alliance or merger. The objective is to form a granite opposition that will be strong enough to defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ultimately displace it as the ruling party in the country.

This is understandable. PDP has dominated politics in majority of the states and the centre since inception of the current democratic dispensation to the consternation of the opposition parties. Besides, the thinking is that none of the existing political parties in the country today can effectively defeat the PDP all by itself hence the need for an alliance among the opposition.

Earlier in the year, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) unfolded plans to form an alliance before 2015. Other parties in the alliance talks were the All Nigeria People Party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) While confirming the alliance between the key opposition parties, the National Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in an interview with a national daily had stated that the alliance was the only

2015: Can the opposition pull off an alliance? way to wrest power from the PDP. “The merger of our party, ACN, with the CPC, the ANPP and a splinter group of disenchanted members of the PDP will soon come into being very soon. I can assure you, the leaders of the parties have been meeting to consider the proposal, as the only way we can rescue this country from the PDP,” he had stated.

The ACN spokesman is convinced that the success of the alliance or merger would be the end of the PDP in the country.

According to him, “Millions of Nigerians eagerly await this alliance in the hope that it will put an end to the PDP’s misguided leadership. It is collective prayer that the ACN and the CPC put self interest aside, agree on a power sharing formula, and wrest power from PDP come 2015.”

Similarly, the CPC National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, said the success of the alliance would sound the death knell for the PDP. He said, “CPC’s alliance with its coalition partners is on course. It is a patriotic endeavour and that explains why the parties in the

coalition are determined to make the alliance talks bear the desired fruit. There is the need to arrest the precipitous drift of the PDP.” But for the PDP, the desire of the opposition to wrestle power from it through an alliance is mere wishful thinking. A PDP chieftain and immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the party , Professor Rufai Aikali believes that the planned alliance will end in futility.

According to him “They can continue making alliances and counter alliances but because they are not united to provide any alternative for this country, to PDP, they are not likely to make any substantial progress.”

However, Aikali says members of his party cannot take anything for granted because “one of the greatest mistakes anybody can make is to overestimate his own ability or underestimate the capability of his enemy or his opponent.”

Like Aikali, the national publicity secretary of the PDP Chief Olisah Metuh, dismissed the proposed alliance with a wave of the hand.

In a recent press statement , he said, “We hear of alliances and mergers every day. That is not

“We hear of alliances and mergers every day. That is not new. Let us wait for 2015.

Do you think Nigerians are fools? Do you think that Nigerians do not take notice of the character and tendency of individuals and political parties?”

•Buhari

•Tinubu new. Let us wait for 2015. Do you think Nigerians are fools? Do you think that Nigerians do not take notice of the character and tendency of individuals and political parties?

“The PDP is the only party that is committed to the continued existence of Nigeria and the welfare of its people.

“At the appropriate time, they will decide whether to entrust their great nation into the hands of regionalists, doomsday prophets and pro-anarchists or to the safe hands of the PDP. Basic common sense will prefer the latter.”

Past Alliances Actually, this is not the first time the opposition parties will be planning an alliance against the PDP since the inception of the fourth republic. It will be recalled that in the 1999 general election, the All Peoples Party(APP) now the All Nigeria Peoples Party and the Alliance for Democracy (AD) presented a joint ticket.

After they lost the election, both parties went their separate ways. There were also efforts by a coalition of opposition political parties to form a mega party before the 2011 general election, but that move ended in a fiasco.

Also, attempts by the ACN and CPC, which incidentally are the prime movers for the new alliance, to forge a common front in the 2011 presidential poll ended abruptly without any tangible results whatsoever,

•Continued from page 46

DAILY SUN Wednesday, October 10, 2012

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POLITICS...&Polity Nothing wrong with Bayelsa coat of arms –Dorgu, Rep From FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa Mrs. Stella Ayamara Dorgu is a doctorate degree holder in Mass Communication.

But her history in Bayelsa State is not linked to classroom communication studies. Dorgu is a female politician, who treads where male politicians even fear to tiptoe.

She made history in 1999 as the first female governorship candidate under the banner of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to contest for the governorship seat in the state. Since then, she has not looked back as her political career soars.

A political communicator par excellence, who coordinated the Keme2Keme campaign volunteers for the election of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson. Dorgu scored another first, emerging as the first female National Assembly member to come from Bayelsa.

In an interview with Daily Sun, Dorgu, who defended the decision of Governor Dickson to initiate the establishment of a coat of arms, flag and anthem for the state, stressing that it was imperative for the people of the state and by extension Ijaw nation to retrieve their identity.

She described President Goodluck Jonathan as a performer and assured her constituents that she would continue from where Dickson stopped in representing their interests at the National Assembly.

Excerpts

H

ow does it feel being the first female legislator from Bayelsa in the House in the last six months?

It is a daunting experience you feel like a fish out of water. If not for the fact that one has had confidence in doing so many other things before coming to the National Assembly, you will feel put off by the sheer number of people you see every day.

The first thought that came to my mind was like I was in a big beginners’ class; you know when you are in a big lecture theatre, except you do something that is extremely exceptional or something special, nobody picks you out, and you will just remain there as part of the crowd. That is why I suppose we have committees just like schools have tutorial groups.

So, you get the opportunity to get to know yourself better, and appreciate your individual capability otherwise it’s just a sea of heads out there.

My very first experience is something that will remain with me for a very long time. It is the fact that I was overwhelmed by the level of academic background of the people, who are there. At the very beginning, people did not come with such highly rated qualifications.

But if you go there now, you will almost feel intimidated by the people who are there. In my first experience in the House, I just sat quietly and watched but I suppose they say a gold fish has no hiding place. I was also shocked by the friendliness of the people and with such friendliness, it was easy to build confidence as the people there already respect you for individual ability and background. There, everybody is friendly devoid of party affiliation. So, I easily settled down in the House comfortably.

What is your take on the adoption of anthem, coat of arms and flag by the Bayelsa State Government?

The critics of the Bayelsa law on this issue are just building mountain out of molehill.

You know that there is nothing wrong with the law. What Bayelsa has done is not different from what other states have done. You know what the constitutional provisions are, Bayelsa is not the first state that has done this. People should appreciate the fact that because of where we are coming from, we had lost our

identity and have been deprived for a long time. You know that for a people to advance, for the people to move, they must have something to look up to, and so if you give a people an anthem they will rally round it. It enhances their cultural value, it is also patriotic and so that was the thinking behind it.

How can you better the lots of people in your constituency?

It can be done. That is the reason all the legislators go to the House. People have really constituency projects especially the press. The common man cannot understand the ideals of the constituency project, and what it stands for.

May be the whole process has been abused.

But the essence of constituency project still remains that each constituency should have a feel of the federal government at the grass root level. The ministries are handling this responsibility at different levels and most of the time as legislators our input to the budget process is very minimal. You have 360 persons in the House representing their various constituencies. They will want to impress by attracting a few things to their people.

I believe this constituency project is the easiest way the legislator can bring federal presence back home. But from my own understanding, legislators do not have anything to do with the actual implementation of the projects. Whichever way one looks at it, it’s a way through which the Federal Government touches the lives of the people at the grass root level.

As a legislator, it is not only through constituency projects that you can touch the lives of your people. Being at the centre, you are able to feel the pulse of your people, so you really have to look at those things that your people need.

I will give an example of Bayelsa State where I come from. For decades they have been crying to be connected to the national grid. It took a while for us to be connected to the national grid. But as am talking, 70 percent of the villages are not connected to the grid. It is the state government that is providing light for them. As a legislator at the national level, I can go and canvass for these things to be done.

“The critics of the Bayelsa law on this issue are just building mountain out of molehill. You know that there is nothing wrong with the law. What Bayelsa has done is not different from what other states have done.”

The Niger Delta university is a state owned university, it is only now that we have a federal university at Otueke. There is a federal polytechnic, these are the kind of things one would want to attract to his people. The Navy is there, the AirForce is here, it has taken a long time for Bayelsa to attract federal presence.

Many people are criticizing President Jonathan for not performing?

I would not want to talk about this, but I think the insinuations are all political brinkmanship. Whatever is going on now, all the talk about Mr. President resigning is uncalled for. I don’t just believe in it, and I am sure it will not go far and I think one day they will all come to terms with the President’s effort. I dare anybody to come and say that he can steer the ship of the state more than Mr President.

Going into specifics how have you impacted on your people?

Let me first and foremost make this disclaimer, I don’t want to see myself as expert in poverty alleviation. I have said repeatedly that I don’t believe in the usual handout that people give, I don’t believe in giving clippers, sewing machine or hair dryers.

I believe in skills acquisition, I believe in something that will give my people a living wage or something that will give them a sustainable livelihood. I always use my village as an example, how many barbers can I give clippers to in Assamabiri that will lead to them having a sustainable livelihood, how many women in the same village can I give sewing

•Dorgu machines and dryers that will give them a sustainable means of livelihood. I think that a lot of times, we just flow with the tide, we have not done any research on the kind of things that will give our people sustainable living. I have a foundation that has been launched recently; we are really going to see into empowerment and emancipation of women and the youths in the real sense of the word. Governor Dickson is a proponent of human capacity building and I totally agree with him on that, we must educate our people. This year alone at least for the first time five girls from the Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal constituency will have scholarship to any school of their choice.

Am also giving scholarship to ten engineering graduates who are going to further their studies in marine studies at the University of Benin and at the University of Port Harcourt. What this means is that every year we are going to keep increasing the number.

Roadblocks to opposition alliance •Continued on page 44 because of ego and personal interests.

Obstacles to the planned alliance However, in spite of the optimism of the leadership of the ACN and CPC on the success of the alliance, many people believe that personal ambition will not allow the alliance to work. Those who share these thought, are quick to point to the aborted alliance between both parties in the 2011 polls.

It would be recalled that the pact between the ACN and CPC in 2011 presidential polls collapsed over disagreement on who becomes Vice President should the alliance win the election. ACN leaders had wanted the CPC Vice Presidential candidate, Pastor Tunde Bakare to sign a post-dated resignation letter, that will see him resigning from office few days after swearing in, so that somebody from the ACN will fill in the office. His refusal to sign the letter crumbled the alliance, and both parties went to the polls independently and lost to the PDP. Analysts believe that personal interests and individual ambitions will get into the way of the current moves as was the case in the past.

The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) Dan Nwanyanwu shares the view that the selfish interest of some of those in the alliance will not allow it thrive. The LP leader told a National Daily recently that

“some of them are looking for how to expand where they were. Some will attend such a meeting, and what will be on their mind is selfish interest. Though I am not trying to write off the alliance plan, I know that some of the characters who are involved in this alliance/merger talks can never push it to the end. They are greedy, not ready to be objective and because they are considering their money which, of course, they cannot defend.”

The former governor of Kaduna State,

Alhaji Baralabe Musa holds a similar view.

He told Daily Sun in a recent interview that greed and cash and carry politics has made it impossible for opposition to work together .

Musa said there was no possibility for the opposition parties uniting at this stage. He pointed out that “ from all indications, as at now, we should not rely on the possibility of their uniting. We should expect continuation of the irrelevance of the opposition parties, because every Nigerian has a prize tag. You have problem with him only if the price is not right. There is a lot of money available to the government in power, and they use this money mindlessly to buy people.”

However, the National Publicity Secretary of the ANPP, Mr Emma Enukwu, said it was the ruling party that has been scuttling moves by the opposition to unite but he says the opposition parties are ready for the PDP this time around.

“Analysts believe that personal interests and individual ambitions will get •Onu

into the way of the current moves as was the case in the past.”

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Wednesday, Ocotober 10, 2012 DAILY SUN

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Presbyterians weep for Nigeria at 52

By VINCENT KALU

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he atmosphere at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Yaba, Lagos was sombre and solemn without the trapping and celebration of normal church service.

The faces of members bore resemblance of people carrying the whole weight of the nation upon their shoulders.

Their mission and pious position was understandable as the decline and the abyss manifesting in every facet of Nigeria caused it.

To arrest this what they said was a dangerous trend, on October 1, the Presbyterian Churches in Lagos, Synod of the West gathered, wept, interceded and asked God to have mercy and forgive the country of her transgressions.

The Synod had declared that day a National Independent

Some of the clergies Day Prayer Summit, with theme: “Building in Righteousness,” Proverbs 14:34. From 10am, members trooped to the church auditorium.

In his heart-rending sermon, the Synod moderator, Rev Dr. Uma Agwu Onwunta, said that in spite of the boisterous wind tossing Nigeria up and down there was hope for the country.

Rev. Onwunta noted that it is a well established fact that all is not well with every facet of the nation as everyone is crying because Nigeria has not performed and working.

According to him, “God so much blessed Nigeria with abundant human and mineral resources that their shouldn’t be complains in the land, but when a nation engages in immorality that nation is on the way destruction”.

Going down memory lane and nostalgic, Rev Onwunta said, “there was a time when a Nigerian anywhere in the world was proud of his identity and walked with raised shoulders but today Nigerians outside the shores of this country are changing their identities because we are seen as people that produce endlessly the manual for indecent living, more so, corruption and anything that is at variance with normal behaviours are associated with us.

“Do we need to recount the embarrassment and ordeals Nigerians pass through at airports in foreign lands because we are seen as a nation that has no respect for any laws? Nigeria is a giant in what raise. There is decay and corruption every-

where that we don’t need to talk about it again” “It pains my heart that when you place side by side a Nigerian and a Ghanaian in a foreign land, the Ghanaian will be accorded all the respect due to human being while the Nigerian is treated with odium.”

Reminding the congregation when the national currency was far stronger than the dollar and when Nigerians who travelled abroad for studies returned to the country immediately after studies but today, he said the reverse is the case as comparing Naira with dollar is comparing apple with orange while the nation’s best brains leave the country in droves to foreign lands for menial jobs that they could not dream of doing in their country.

“We are in every part of the world doing all sorts of menial jobs and our best brains are the ones behind the successes of most of the developed nations.”

While admonishing the leaders to lead with the fear of God, he noted that Nigerians don’t trust their leaders.

Lifting the spirits of the congregation from the lethargy of the country, he declared, “One day God will arise and show that He is God of this nation” noting that there is hope. “Hope”, he said has two daughters, whom are, ‘Anger’ and ‘Courage’, stressing that, “we should be angry about unrighteousness and muster the courage to change the situation and implored them to do

things in the right way.

Commenting on what gave rise to the programme, Rev Onwunta said, the Bible directed that “ we should pray for the peace of Jerusalem, our Jerusalem is our country Nigeria, a land God has given to us to dwell. It is only in the peace of the land that we will enjoy His prosperity.”

This programme he said has been on for the five past years and it was born out of the downward trend, the socio-economic quagmire as well as the enormous challenges the nation is facing.

While acknowledging that the programme is yielding abundant dividends, he noted “if people were fervently praying and the situation is that bad, imagine how it would have been if we were not praying.

“Nigerian is facing enormous challenges and we have realized that unless God helps our leaders, they remain helpless. Our leaders must not only lead, they should inspire hope, confidence, courage, show direction and crate an enabling environment that will make people live in peace; otherwise, people have reasons to fight and rebel.

Above all, they need to fear God.” “It if only God that can help us and it is only when we fear Him in all that we do that is when the nation will be what it should be.

While concluding the message, he called on Nigerians to have a change of attitude, reminding them that money is not the ultimate, as good name is better than gold. What matters, he said, was not what one acquired but the value you add to other people’s lives.

“We need a reorientation of our lives, attitudes, value system and the fear God. We should live as Christ is coming today” while advising politicians that Nigerians are not interested in what is going to happen in 2015, but what is happening today. They should think of what they are doing with mandate today than worrying about 2015.

Intercessory prayers and prophetic releases were made for the nation and its leadership, including unemployment and security challenges as well as flood now ravaging some parts of the country.

50 DAILY SUN Wednesday, October 10, 2012

South-East Report APGA crisis is INEC’s problem –Hon. Nwachukwu

Moses Ogbonna: From OKEY SAMPSON, Aba

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or St. Moses Ogbonna, an Aba-based legal practitioner and chairman of Save Aba Group (SAG), the people of the commercial city would continue to weep until Governor Theodore Orji repairs all Aba bad roads and conduct local government election in the state to enable them know who to hold responsible went things go wrong.

Thus Ogbonna and his group had planned to hold a protest rally in Aba to draw attention to the sorry state of roads in the commercial nerve centre have become. But before the rally slated for September 24 could hold, he was arrested by security operatives.

He was, however, released later through the intervention of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Aba branch that later also organized a protest on the same bad roads in the city..

He also spoke of his resolve to continue with the weeping rally if the Abia State government fails to address the issue of bad roads in Aba. Excerpts: Arrest on September 11 by police On September 11, it was on a Tuesday, as I arrived at my office, the Area Commander, Aba (Rabiu Dayi) led a team of policemen accompanied by the Aba South Local Government Transition Committee Chairman (Emeka Nwogu), they came into my office and alleged that I was circulating seditious documents. I told them I had no need for that and that I don’t have seditious documents in my possession. I know very well I’m a publisher, but I have not published seditious or inciting article against the government. They searched all the past newspapers we had in the office, they could not find anything incriminating. It was in my computer system they saw a letter I was doing entitled, ‘Weep for Aba’ and the moment they saw “Weep for Aba rally,” they said yes, that was the document and they asked me to print it out.

Since I knew it was not a seditious document, I gracious allowed them to print it out and they took the document along with them and carted away everything in my office - five sets of computer with UBS, the monitor, in fact, everything about the computers. They took my two printers, the audio stabilizers, up to my generating sets, they carted them away and labelled them exhibits, may be they were part of the seditious materials they were looking for. They also took my two handsets and seized them up till now.

So, I am right now out of job, doing nothing as everything in my office was taken away.

Crusader who’s weeping for Aba bad roads R

By VICTOR C. AMADI

My ‘Weep for Aba’ rally ‘Weep for Aba’ was a rally we contemplated holding which citizens of Aba; we will come out to meet at a street or at a spot at Osisioma to cry unto God for His mercy because Aba people have been abandoned by our government; both the Federal and state governments have abandoned us, nobody is interested in Aba, all that people hear on the radio every day is that the city is next to heaven. So, since the government has abandoned the Aba people, we thought we could now weep to our God, cry unto him for His mercy. That was what that rally was all about.

The rally was not in any way intended to be violent because even the letter they now termed to be seditious, that letter was also meant to be given to the police, the army and the civil defense, it was also written there and this was to make sure they provided security that would ensure smooth, peaceful and orderly rally that could not be hijacked by hoodlums.

Despite this, the police arrested me. The Area Commander took me to his office; and when I asked him of my offence, he told me that I was inciting the people against the government; that there was an order from Umuahia asking him to bring me and, in fact, as he was saying it, a helicopter landed, he chided me and told me that look at the helicopter that was coming to carry me. I told him why the helicopter that I will prefer moving on the road so that his vehicle will fail by the wayside and he laughed. He later transferred me to Umuahia and there I was locked up and the following morning, they charged me to court. I was arraigned for sedition, inciting and causing public hatred to the government and I was remanded in prison custody on that September 13, and I was to remanded in that custody till September 20, when the court reserved ruling for my bail application. I was in custody for five days before God intervened, using Nigeria Bar Association, Aba branch under the chairmanship of Charles Eduzor as a tool, as an instrument. Lawyers in Aba came out and boldly told the government that what they had done was wrong. So, I was relaxing in my prison apartment when they came and said I had been granted bail by the acting Chief Judge of the state

Ogbonna and I was brought out from the prison that was on Monday, September 18.

NBA, Aba branch holding the same protest and you participating You see, the Abia State government appears to be very jittery because they have said too much lies to the public, to people outside the state who believe that Aba is next to heaven. So, they were afraid the rally was going to expose them to the outside world; that was why they were jittery and they came and arrested me. All the same, thanks be to God, and thanks be to NBA because NBA achieved the same thing. This rally you know, NBA had to march round the streets from High Court, Aba up to Osisioma. Even though there were reports by certain media houses that the march was against the Federal Government, against Federal roads, no, it was against bad roads in Aba, particular the state roads. If you had listened to the address by the NBA chairman, there is no single road in Aba that is in good condition, none. The only roads in the city which have not much pot-hole on them are only Aba/Owerri and Okigwe roads, all other ones have broken down. You cannot access Ariaria from Faulks road. In fact, if you stop at the Brass Junction and charter Keke NAPEP, the driver will charge you N1,000 because he is going to

Crime fighting: Enugu NURTW promises to be vigilant From KASSIDY UCHENDU, Nsukka

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he members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Igbo-Eze South chapter, Enugu State, are keeping their eyes wide opened. This is in their bid to prevent criminal elements from coming into the state through the border as the local government area is a border town.

Because of their level of preparations, their Chairman, Mr Aliu Danjuma said that it would be difficult for members of the dreaded Islamist sect known as Boko Haram to beat the union’s security to make any successful incursion into the state through the local government area which has common border with Benue State.

Speaking to Daily Sun at Ibagwa-Aka, headquarters of Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area, Danjuma said that the security measure on ground was water tight and would make it difficult for the terrorist group to invade the East through the border between the local government area and Benue State.

“As transporters, we are in control of the entry points and we have security arrangement in collaboration with our counterparts across the border in Ankpa that will make it impossible to invade the East through our borders,” he assured, adding that “ours is to complement the

Danjuma duties of the law enforcement agencies.”

The chairman, however, did not disclose the nature of security strategy on ground, but he said that his union and its counterpart in Ankpa hold joint committee meetings and that they meet regularly to ensure that no undesirable element, including armed robbers and car snatchers use the border for their nefarious operations.

The union boss said that the strategic position of Ibagwa as host of the largest market in

the area has made it imperative for adequate security measures to be on ground to checkmate invasion of the state by either Boko Haram or any other anti-social elements engaged in trans-border crimes.

Danjuma further disclosed that it would be difficult to detect who the union’s security operatives are and that the union has understanding with the police that makes it easy for it to handover any suspect to them with a minimum of delay.

He thanked the chairman of the local government, Mr. Festus Ozioko whom he said, had exhibited genuine political will that has made Ibagwa-Aka unconducive for criminals, explaining that since his assumption of office all the known and unknown criminal elements in the area have either relocated or changed.

Danjuma who is in his second tenure in office thanked the Federal Government for its magnanimity in providing mass transit busses to the union’s national headquarters to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal, but complained that his chapter was yet to benefit from it.

He called on the state chairman of the union, Chief Joseph Obinwanne to ensure that what belongs to his chapter did not elude it in the interest of justice, fairness and equity.

ecently two top chieftains of All Peoples Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Casmir Ihegworo, who claims to be the National chairman and the National Organizing Secretary, Hon. Victor Gozie Nwachukwu skpke to Daily Sun. Both spoke on issues concerning their great party, especially since the National Convention held in Agbo-Delta State.

Hon Gozie answers these questions and says: Excerpts APGA since the Agbor Convention: The party has done a lot to move forward.

Since the Agbo convention, the party has appointed a five – man committee in all the states of the federation. And these (states) committees in turn, have appointed 5 – man committees in all the Local Governments. And the Local Governments Committees equally appointed 5 – member committees in all the wards. For the first time in the history of APGA, there’s full representation of the party in all the local governments of the federation. What the party is doing as a resolve for now is to ask all the local governments to continue holding meetings, and vibrating the party, believing that soon, all the warring factions could be brought together.

The Court Case Our case is in court because we want Chief Victor Umeh to vacate the seat, and come back to the Party. We don’t want him to vacate office and run away from the party. A seasoned politician should not do that. However, there is strong optimism the party is going to settle everything amicably after the judgment. The truth is that the former National Chairman Victor Umeh has been acting and his tenure has expired. Through available documents, Umeh’s fellow executive members, the Sadiq Masala group, have corroborated what other party members have been saying. They have publicly spoken that all the agitations, insistence and requests of Dr Casmir Ihegworo’s group is basically correct and justified Is APGA heading towards disintegration?

Unknown to many, the party has done so much in recent time such that no one needed the horoscope to see what we are doing, and the progress made. Definitely APGA is forging forward stronger. And many erroneously have mistaken the vibration going on in the party in recent times, as disintegration; as they have failed to realize the only constant thing in the world is change. Remarkably, the National Working Committee led by Dr Casmir Ihegworo has moved the party from Anambra State to the national level where it is today. A renowned lawyer of 39 years standing, and a three-time commissioner in old Kaduna State, a former attorney General under Balarabe Musa is now the state chairman of APGA in Katsina State, as well as the acting national secretary. So, is a wrong notion to assume APGA is in the process of disintegration. We are going to emerge stronger, trust me.

Would all the factions be willing to accept an arbiter of peace?

We don’t need any arbiter for anything. The constitution of the party states the National Chairman has tenure of four years . But as at today, Umeh has spent nine years on seat.We are waiting for the court(s) to give their judgment. The moment judgment is given, everybody falls in line.

The only confusion we have is the confusion set by INEC. This is the same INEC that withdrew recognition from Umeh. Umeh took INEC to court challenging that, yet, INEC defeated him.

Ihegworo

Wednesday, October 10, 2012 DAILY SUN

51

South-East Report Ezurike: The exit of an intellectual giant

By EMEKA ANOKWURU

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ir Lemchi Eleazar Ezurike was born 75 years ago in Umuduru, Ikperejere, IhitteUboma, in Imo State. He was the third son of hardworking parents, Nwanyinwunwa Enyidi and Ezurike Nneji Okeke. As a young boy, his hard work and intelligence stood him out. His father saw this at an early age and refused to send him to the White man’s school, claiming it was a waste of money on an already intelligent young boy!

But after his father death, he eventually went to school, where he excelled and passed the entrance to the prestigious Government College, Umuahia. However, as a fatherless child, there was no willing adult to do a sworn age declaration for him, because his uneducated kinsmen feared in those days that the “white man” would jail them for lying.

This incident had the profound effect of igniting a desire within him to seek knowledge, education and to invest in educating his fellow human beings. This shaped his philosophy and became his life passion.

His quest for knowledge took him to the Preliminary Teachers’ College, PTC, Egbu, Owerri, and St. James College Umudi, Nkwerre where he obtained his Teachers Grade 111 Certificate. Sir Lemchi got married to Lady Esther Ezurike and they were blessed with Amara their first child. He then left for the United States of America to seek the “Golden Fleece.” He obtained a Bachelors degree in political science from Elmhurst College Chicago in 1969 and a Masters of Public Administration from Roosevelt University Chicago in 1971. In the midst of his studies and work, including as a Christian high school principal in Chicago, they were blessed with two more children Eziamauche and Ibeakolam. Some years later when everyone thought they were done with child bearing, the fourth child Ikenna, miraculously joined the family. Since his return from United States in 1978, he has fostered several children from many less privileged homes into academic freedom. His house at Egbu Girls Secondary School and later Federal Housing Estate Owerri has remained home to hundreds of young men and women, who seek academic and career direction.

Beginning as a teacher, he served in various capacities as: Headmaster Saint James Primary School Umueze 1 (1965-1966); Research Assistant, Cook County Court (1969-1973); and Principal, Christian Action Ministry, Comprehensive High School, Chicago, USA. He came back to Nigeria and joined the Imo State Civil Service in 1978.

He excelled and served in various ministries and capacities where he set standards for honesty hard work, and the application of Christian values to public service including: Director, Staff development Center (1981); Executive Secretary, Directorate for Rural Development (1987); Director, State Directorate for Employment (1991);

Director-General, Bureau of Economic Affairs (1994); Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Political Affairs (1995); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports (1997).

It was at this last position that he proved himself to be without reproach and a voice against corruption in his service to humanity. He resisted the pressure and intimidation from the then Military Administrator to divert state fund into unknown private accounts. He was falsely accused and unjustly punished, but was finally vindicated

by God. He honestly managed the funds and organized one of the most successful National Sports Festivals in the nation’s history! Sir Lemchi retired from Imo State civil service in 1998 and immediately went back to his first passion, education, as a Senior Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Public Administration Imo State University, where he continued to serve until God called him.

Sir Lemchi Ezurike was a community development legend, devoted Christian and a tireless church

Late Ezurike builder. He was the Chairman of the Ikperejere Development Union from 1983 until 1996. During this 13-year period and after, he led the way in many efforts such as electrification, functional borehole, and town halls. He would be remembered for the way he managed and brought lasting resolution and peace to endemic conflicts that plagued the community, fostering reconciliation of exiled kinsmen and families.

His effort in rebuilding and uniting his community led to official state recognition for both his autonomous community and the traditional ruler of Ikperejere. He was awarded numerous Chieftaincy titles in many communities, which he humbly declined.

Stop chasing shadows, S/East PDP tells Gov Okorocha

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South East zone, has assured Governor Rochas Okorocha that his avowed ambition to ensure that APGA takes over the five South Eastern states will end up like his several abandoned projects littering the state.

Reacting to his boast in an interview in a national newspaper on Sunday that APGA will take over the South East, the National Vice Chairman for the zone, Colonel Austin Akobundu (rtd.) advised Governor Okorocha to first redeem his image as a flighty governor with no landmark achievements, adding that it will not be the first promise he didn’t keep.

“His Excellency has chosen to ignore facts on the ground in his postulations. Twice PDP defeated APGA in recent elections under his watch. PDP won the Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency by-election in February and the Oguta State Constituency election in August.

In frustration, the governor has resorted to illegal means to prevent the winner from being sworn-in but he has only made himself more unpopular. While PDP is rebuilding and receiving new and returning members, everywhere APGA is in crisis. It is a dying party, a refuge for desperate politicians.

“There is nothing on the ground in the state, only fantasy promises. His Excellency is clueless on how to tackle rising insecurity in the state, the highest in

the zone. Nobody from neighbouring states actually wants the Imo disaster replicated on their doorstep. On the other hand, PDP governors in Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi states are regional models of excellence. They are quietly reinventing good governance in their states through investment in infrastructures and human resources. Anambra people too are tired of APGA’s village square bickering.

“South East is home of PDP. APGA was an accident of history which has outlived its usefulness.

South Easterners have no need for a tribal party. If it works for the South West under ACN, good for them but say that to Ondo people. Our politics must aspire to the same lofty heights already attained by our scholarship, entrepreneurship and cultural identity, which have become global brands. The Igbo race cannot be led by provincial actors who feel inferior on the national stage.

“The facts on the ground suggest that it is PDP that is gaining more supporters in the zone. We therefore advise His Excellency to stop chasing shadows and humbly borrow leadership skills from his PDP counterparts in the zone who are silent achievers.

“We join other well-wishers to congratulate His Excellency on his 50th birthday but we sincerely hope that he makes better use of the remaining period in his term to give long-suffering Imo citizens a better deal than they are currently getting”.

Anambra flooding: Agric loans is the solution -Hon. Ralph Okeke, former House of Reps member

By ROMANUS OKOYE

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ack of crop seedlings to start next year’s farming may be the greatest challenge that will face the flood victims. Reason: the seedlings reserved for next farming year have all been washed away by the flood.

Speaking recently on the flood disaster in Anambra State, during his visit to the five camps provided for the flood victims by Anambra State government, Hon. Ralph Okeke who was a two term local government chairman of Anambra West, said that the devastating effect of the flood in Anambra West, Anambra East and Ogbaru Local governments would be extremely felt around November when the farmers are supposed to go into the next farming season without crop seedlings. He expressed fear that unless spirited individuals and governments come to the aid of the victims “hunger, abject poverty will be the lot of the farmers next year.” He therefore suggested that agriculture loan should be given to the farmers.

In support of the victims, Hon. Okeke donated the sum of N300,000 and commended the Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi and his team for all their efforts on providing succour to the victims; particularly the governor for wading through the flood to see for himself. He applauded Chief Mike Ezimo, Senator Andy Uba, Chief Alloy Chive, Chief Obinna Uzor and Mr. Ossy Clement for their donation of cash and relief materials.

He also commended His Highness Bishop Henry Okeke, the Bishop of Mbamili Diocese. He said that the Bishop is a beacon of hope and has demonstrated genuine and unreserved love and commitment to his calling toward the entire mbamili people especially at these trying times. “Bishop Okeke has been playing a key role in the evacuation and re-settlement of the flood victims.” He said.

However, the former two term representative of Anambra East/West Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives said that while the provisions of relief materials like blankets, mattresses, loaves of bread, mosquitoes’ net are commendable to provide temporary relief, that what the 17 communities with a population of over 600,000 need most are soft Agriculture loans given to them directly through the federal ministry of Agriculture. “If every farmer could be provided with at least N200,000 for the next farming season, it will go a long way in resettling them so that they could continue to work and feed the nation like it is obtained in places like India.” He assured the farmers that all stakeholders will be mobilized to ensure that they get all they require to engage in serious farming next year.

Also, he said that this happening at a time when Gov. Peter Obi has resolved to support farmers as critical agents in the transformation of agriculture to create employment for citizens through the release of N1 billion loan to farmers, the state governor should ensure that the money get to the real farmers to boost food production in the state.

Meanwhile, Hon. Okeke emphasized that while it may not be easy to relocate these people from their ancestral land, part of the ecological fund should be made directly available to them to cushion the effects of the flood disaster. He advised the state and federal governments to work hand in hand to ensure that these people are rehabilitated for the benefit of the entire Okeke nation.

Ohanaeze Lagos elects new Exco

By FAVOUR ONWUKA

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socio-cultural organization Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Surulere chapter has elected new officers to run its affair.

The new exco consists of, Mr Mike Chidebelu, Chairman, Mrs Franca Amadi, Secretary, Mrs Queen Okoronkwo, Financial Secretary, Mr Chuks Nnalugba, Legal practitioner, Mrs Tessy Ezenwa, Women leader, Felix Nnadiukwu, Treasurer, Emeka Nelson, Youth leader, Jude Mbaito, Welfare officer, Kelechi Okpala, PRO and Jonas Osuagwu, ex-officio.

The swearing-in of the new executives was done by the State Secretary, Chief Chinenyeze Thompson Ohia, the legal adviser, Mr Fabian Onwughalu and the Publicity Secretary, Chief Lois Okafor.

While swearing-in the new officers, Ohia said, “We came with ‘letter of termination’of the interim government that held sway until theelection was conducted. and urged the interim officers to handover all documents in their possession to the newly elected exco. We also came with ‘letter of authority’to empower the new executives.

The legal adviser, Mr Onwughalu thanked them for conducting a free and fair election. Thenew officers pledged to serve better as the law of Ohanaeze implies and to work diligently for the progress and growth of the association, and to obey the constitution.

The new chairman, Mr. Chidebelu thanked the state representatives and pledged their loyalty to Ohanaeze that they will work and obey the constitution of Ohanaeze.

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DAILY SUN

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

City SUN Fashola’s wife, Foursquare G.O. storm Ketu

By SEYE OJO

F

or 12 days last month, thousands of Christians from within and outside Nigeria stormed Ketu, a community in Lagos. Like the biblical Prophet Elijah, they prayed earnestly to God to send down fire from heaven.

But the fire they requested was different from the one Elijah called down from heaven, which destroyed the prophets of Baal. Theirs was a fresh fire of spiritual revival for the church and Nigeria to experience astronomical growth and development.

The event was the 15th convention of the Christ Redemption Bible Church, located on Redemption Avenue, off Oluwalogbon Street, Ketu with the theme: Fresh Fire. It was testimony galore as many conventioneers told how the fresh fire, which symbolised the Holy Spirit of God, touched their lives, set them free from captivity and gave them a hope and a future.

The convention featured lectures, musical concerts, visit to orphanage, leadership and capacity development seminars, praise night, dedication of Kiddies Care, dedication of the international headquarters of the church, public presentation of the church’s football team and the launch of the sports wears for the football game christened the G.S Cup competition.

The dedication of the cathedral was done by the General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Revd Felix Meduoye, on Saturday, September 22, this year. In attendance were a host of ministers, including the famous gospel singer, Pastor Joseph Adelakun (Ayewa) and his wife, Clara.

Also in attendance were Revd Christian Orgu of the Life Theological Seminary, Ikorodu, Pastor Aanu Ojo, Mrs. Folasade Odunlami, wife of the Ikeja Local Government chairman (who represented the Lagos State first lady, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola), and others.

The church, which started with seven members some 15 years ago, now has more than 3, 000 regular worshippers and more than 5, 000 worshippers during special services. It has viable 10 branches in six cities in Nigeria and a branch in Great Britain.

General Superintendent of the church, Pastor John Ogundare, said: “When the work of this ministry started 15 years ago, we never thought we could get to where we are today.

Not that we relegated ourselves or that we did not have faith, but being an indigenous church, we relied solely on God, especially in the area of finance.

“Though the beginning was rough, we thank our Lord Jesus Christ that fulfilled His promise in our life as a church. Therefore, our great God who has given us the grace to host this 15th convention in a unique way with the ded-

• Thousands bring down fire as CRBC holds convention

The CRBC Cathedral

Revd Meduoye unveilling the plaque during the dedication ication of our new international headquarters sanctuary, is worthy of celebration.”

Ogundare urged Nigerian leaders to have the fear of God in every policy they evolve and how they administer the country. He said it was imperative for the government to listen to the voice of the people who voted them into power whenever any policy that would have

Pastor Ogundare and wife, Martha at the convention

direct bearing on them is about to be made. He enjoined leaders in every capacity to make policies that would make life easier for the masses.

“I use this opportunity to call on all our leaders to do what is right by acting and walking in the fear of God as He is the only one that has solution to our problems. I pray according to the word of God in Isaiah 62:7 and with the help of God that Nigeria will change and become the praise of all nations on earth in Jesus’ name,” he said.

The convention, according to Ogundare, was significant to Nigeria as the country battles myriad of socio-economic and political challenges such as kidnapping in the Niger Delta, killings by Boko Haram sects in the North, deplorable roads, youth unemployment, bad governance and corruption.

While saying that the turn of event calls for a sober reflection, serious prayer and a sovereign national conference on the future of Nigeria, Ogundare asserted that God would make the country a great nation if the leaders and followers would humble themselves, pray and forsake their wicked ways.

In his sermon entitled: Enthrone God, Revd Felix Meduoye urged Christians to be wary of the errors committed by King David when he tried to build a house for God and the presumption of his successor, King Solomon,

which he made during the dedication of the temple he built for God. According to him, any Christian who must enthrone God must recognise and affirm their faith in God, prepare and repair the altar of their lives for God’s dwelling and covet the presence of God, among others.

In her message to the dedication, Mrs. Fashola, who quoted from Proverbs 18:10, prayed that the church would be a place of refuge for anybody who steps into the church.

Chairman of the Building Committee, Deacon Akinwunmi Salau, stated that the committee was inaugurated in 2004 to design and supervise the execution of the architectural drawings/designs and ensure prompt completion of the project.

“This church project is unique to the extent that all we have till date is through communal joint efforts of our members, friends and close associates of the church. To God be the glory, as at today, the church is not indebted to any individual, group of persons or any financial institution in connection with this church.

“As at today, the first phase of the church project is completed and ready for use. We have started on the second phase of the project but we will have the following issues to contend with: electrical works, purchase of 270KVA generator, internal decoration, furniture and fittings, purchase of air conditioning units as and completion of the basement,” he said.

Pastor Joseph Adelakun disclosed that he met Pastor Ogundare about 26 years ago and since then, they have been good friends. He congratulated the church on the 15th convention, saying: “Pastor Ogundare is one of the ardent supporters of Ayewa Gospel Band. He is a rare unique and exemplary brother in the Lord, a generous giver and an epitome of humility, whose fire branding for Christ makes him live according to the words of God.” The convention was rounded off with a superlative thanksgiving service on Sunday, September 23. It was attended by the Commissioner for Finance, Ekiti State, Mr. Dapo Kolawole, who represented Governor Kayode Fayemi, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, Chairman, Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, Mr. Ayodele Oyesanya, an engineer, and representative of the founder/president of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Ibadan, Bishop Francis Wale Oke.

DAILY SUN

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

53

City SUN

Mathematician develops new computer application for schools, WAEC

By HENRY UTSALO

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young Nigerian has developed a computer application capable of eliminating errors in marking, recording and storing of examination scripts.

Christened Remarks, the new application is the painstaking effort of Mr. Akinyele Victor Olubodun, Chief Executive Officer of Think First Technology Limited, a firm based in Lagos. He said his new invention, which is at http://remarks-ng.com, had all it takes to overcome all the troubles always being encountered in managing both internal and external examination and results of pupils and students in primary and secondary schools, noting that it would be very useful in eliminating all such worries. Olubodun, who recently won an award in Europe, said his innovationwould greatly benefit students, teachers, school owners and examination bodies in the country.

The application, according to the 30-yearold native of Ondo State, was developed to accelerate and eliminate errors in marking, recording and storing of results of pupils’ and students’ internal results in the primary and secondary schools.

He stated similar examination bodies such as the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO) could deploy the application in eliminating errors in the marking and collation of results.

Olubodun, a 2007 graduate of Pure and Applied Mathematics from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), described the application as the first of its kind in Nigeria. He explained that his invention came with a package that would allow the schools to store results of students on the Internet and make them accessible to the world.

The winner of the 2011 World Summit Youth Award in Austria also shared his expe-

Olubodun at work on his computer rience on what he went through before his dream for the application became a reality. He said: “It was not an easy task for me during the period I developed this application. It took me more than three months. in the process, I developed a swollen leg as a result of sitting down in one place for a very long time.”

After developing the Remarks application, Olubodun stated that it had so far been tested in a number of schools and the experiments were successful. He added that the outcome

of the tests further popularised the application and increased its demands by dozens of primary and secondary schools that have come to know its value.

While describing the application as cost effective in Nigeria, he said any school that has an interest in the application would be permitted to use it for three months without any charge. For the trial, he maintained that his company accepts 500 students and does not go below the number.

At the end of the trial, any school that does not like the product can opt out without paying a dime. Interested schools, he said would be charged based on the company’s standard.

Olubodun, who noted that subscribers to the application would be charged as they surf on the Internet through the product, stated that the product had won the Imagine Cup, an award for a most innovative application from the Microsoft Corporation.

He said the application is easy to use and the subscribers do not need to employ the services of a developer to use the product. He added that application was designed with a maximum security for a secured database. The database, he stated, will be created for every school that registered for the application.

While promising that the company would be available anytime there is an issue that the subscribers could not handle, Olubodun said the application has its server in three different countries, so that when one fails, the other ones could come to the rescue.

Some of the advantages of the application to schools, according to him, include the fact that it would make it impossible for indebted students to access their results. It can also help the management of the school to access the performance of a teacher on a particular subject and can send alert to all parents.

Olubodun further said that parents can access their children’s school fees account from the internet with the application. If a student is going abroad to study, his result can be accessed at the embassy via the application on the Internet.

He stated that the application is meant for schools with government approval, saying: “You can register as a school, no problem, but immediately you register, your account is under review. We send our workers to do a proper research. He will go there, confirm if the school is government registered. So, we don’t just give it to schools. I must say that another package for higher institutions is coming soon.”

In Lagos, police officer goes gaga

By BISI OLALEYE

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r. Sola Oladiti, a police officer, is today a happy man. The man that was recently abandoned by his fiancée because he had no car, now cruises around in a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), courtesy of MTN. Oladiti, a native of Inalende in Ibadan, could hardly curtail his joy when he mounted the podium to receive the key of a brand new SUV. The vehicle was among the last 10 of SUVs to be released by MTN Nigeria.

The event was the MTN Goodwill

The police officer inspecting his car

… After winning SUV at MTN promo Automania final SUV presentation, which was held in Lagos recently.

Dressed in a light grey sweatshirt, Oladiti virtually turned the gathering into a Christian fellowship as he kept reeling Christian songs and dancing round the podium.

Asked by this reporter why he was that happy, he said: “The person I wanted to marry last year abandoned me because I

had no car. It was a relationship of three years; a relationship that I had hoped would lead to the altar. But unfortunately, she decided to leave me because I had no car.”

“I travelled for a course and before I returned, I was told that she had married a man with a car. I felt disillusioned for a while but with the support of friends and my family, I got over the rejection. I thank God today for drying my tears. I am a police officer at Epe Police Station.

“I feel very excited. In fact, I am the happiest man on earth. This is a compensation for me. This is my very first car. It is unbelievable. I never expected it. The car is very expensive. People mocked me when I was buying recharge cards. They said I was being duped but I did not listen to them. I was bathing when I received the call.”

Commenting on the authenticity of promos and lotteries, Acting Director, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Prince Emmanuel Olaniran Jeminiwa said: “It is a financial crime and a criminal offence because anybody who runs a lottery, promotion or business without proper regularization has violated the National Lottery Act of 2005 and National Lottery Regulation Act of 2007. It made it so clear that any lottery promo that is run in this country without valid permit from the commission is illegal and whoever violates it will be penalised.

“I want to assure you that even those who run promo without proper regularization, we have succeeded in getting a few of them to ensure proper regularization. In any lotto or promo, the key element of this exercise is the statutory contribution to trust fund. We cannot talk about statutory contribution to those who don’t have regularization to run promo or lotto. The statutory contribution to trust fund is the key element. This is the money that government derives from lotto business, which is converted into what we call good causes to serve the people.

Modern resources are quite high and it is not all aspect of government expenditure that you have provision for in the budget allocation of government. This money in the trust fund happens to be a source of government revenue, because government uses it for infrastructure. It is a mandatory thing for every one that runs a lotto to make their own statutory contribution.”

On the issue of the controversial MTN ultimate wonder promo, he said: “When that particular promo requirement was written by Optimal Limited, and gave MTN opportunity to run this particular promo, all the due processes were made very clear to them. Fortunately, Optimal studios, as you may well know, is the company that runs ‘Who wants to be a millionaire’. The first contact of this particular company with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission happens to be Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Viewers who have followed this particular programme would definitely agree that the programme has got a lot of credibility.”

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DAILY SUN

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Nigerians are angry (Re: See Uyo and get angry) Continued from back page

clean her of the rot.

Those, who are convening national prayers with blood on their hands need first wash the blood off and then come to God with clean hands otherwise God will never listen because He hears the cry of innocent blood.

Collins Onyeulo, Publisher, Igbolife Magazine. 07060487931 Dear colleague (Steve), your talk ‘see Uyo and get angry’ is very informative. As a matter of fact, Governor Akpabio of AKS is God-sent, and indeed God’s will for the Akwa Ibomites. He is the best governor in Nigeria, sleeping governors should wake up and imitate him. Hon. Ekeng Nsa. 08052725838 Nice campaign for Sule Lamido and Godswill Akpabio, hope you will visit Jigawa first and before the rains are over before you launch your campaign.

08032477319 Sir, please look into Delta State that collects 13% and nothing to write about. No road, no light etc. Pls Sir visit Delta State and you will see things for yourself.

08056114532 Steve, what else can one say? Your “See Uyo and get angry” was beyond compare in thought, word and deed! Can you imagine that on two occasions now, I have driven my family there to relish the wonder that is Uyo! Now about getting angry and stoning the other governors? How lenient you are! Hang them! most of them are callous, directionless and outrightly inept!

Betimes, I wonder why God allows the emergence of such profligence individuals. Please, write again and thank Akpabio for us all. God bless him and bless you too.

Col JMO Ezeoke (Rtd) 08033143050 See Uyo and get angry. Thanks a lot for that’s the whole truth. I don’t know if Idris Wada will douse my anger or increase it.

Okpanachi Enape 08062436844 Steve, that was a good piece “See Uyo and get angry” but you guys fail to get in touch with the man on the street. In the midst of plenty there is so much hunger at times I wonder what we are celebrating about, time will tell. 08064665035 Steve, you have simply and deliberately spoilt my weekend. Your “See Uyo and get angry” did this. I am Kogi and you know full well that we have always had vampires as leaders. So Steve your article is tendentious. I dey fume o. Please beg me.

Tai Kaduna 08057246175 Thanks Steve, The Lord is your strength.

You will live long to write. Regards.

08057246175 It is probably to attract higher ecological fund that the governor of Imo refused to do the drainages here in Owerri especially at the World Bank Estate and around the so called specialist hospital it has been heavy flooding and wild bushes which means more money for Okorocha. This is absurd, bad. 08077571244 Good day Mr Steve, please don’t be angry because Gov Akpabio is angry on what he met on ground considering the pulse of the state of Akwa Ibom, he became angry and the anger turns to great performance per Excellence you see as you land, but how do you describe Abia State? 08052040125 See Uyo and get angry… It is all about media hype. You journalist after getting gratifications from your paymasters just sit down to write nonsense. Didn’t you see the poverty on the faces of the people?

Didn’t you see ß that has defaced the so called development? Who are the riders of Keke?

University graduates.

08033171359

Universities as nest of criminals W

hat class of students are Nigerian universities breeding on their campuses? I ask this question because a growing number of university students are taking up crime as their lifetime occupation. That makes a mockery of universities as institutions established for the advancement of knowledge.

Some students enter universities not to achieve their learning objectives but to enrol in cults and other criminal groups that are designed to terrorise and deprive people of their money and property.

Universities have lost the values for which they were established as students enrol in a bizarre subculture that is at odds with the curriculum contents of the programmes that universities offer.

Why are university students swelling the ranks of criminal gangs to live unsustainable lifestyles that are based on sharp practices and illegalities? The answer is not difficult to figure out.

Universities are not established to train students to develop expertise in armed robbery or in defrauding, robbing, drugging, raping and killing women.

How do you explain the involvement of university students in the following nerve-jangling cases that included robbery and murder?

Consider the case of Cynthia Osokogu, the postgraduate student of Nasarawa State University, who was allegedly lured to Lagos, stripped of her prized possessions, brutally tortured, raped, taunted and murdered in July 2012 by two accountancy students of the University of Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and their collaborators in crime.

Consider also the most recent, grisly and extrajudicial killings of four University of Port Harcourt students last Friday. While accounts of how the students died differ and remain fuzzy and contentious, what is not in disagreement is that the students were humiliated in public by an angry mob that tortured and killed them.

One lesson that accompanied the gruesome murders of the students is that the public has become increasingly disappointed and frustrated with the perceived lack of justice in the country. There is a general belief that suspected criminals, who are taken to the police for prosecution, almost always escape justice. Now that the four students have been despatched in unfortunate circumstances, we will never know whether they were genuine armed robbers or whether they were framed and murdered without trial.

In Ibadan, Oyo State, last Thursday, the police displayed for public viewing five students of an unnamed private university, who allegedly swindled their victims of more than $27,000. The state Commissioner of Police told journalists the students and other criminals were apprehended for

involvement in criminal activities that included Internet fraud, armed banditry, stealing of cars, and theft of jewels valued at over N25 million. One of the suspects allegedly told the police: “I do Yahoo Yahoo.

My two most recent deals fetched me $27,000. The first was $17,000 and the second was $10,000. I got that from a woman in California (USA).”

Here is another report of how a Nigerian undergraduate student fleeced an Australian woman of her hard-earned money through the disreputable “419” advance fee fraud. The story, which was published on Tuesday, 16 March 2009, read: “A Nigerian undergraduate has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for obtaining $47,000 (33,382 pounds) from an Australian woman by convincing her over the Internet that he was 57 years old, white, and madly in love with her... He said he was an engineer, working in Lagos whose wife and only child had been killed in an accident.”

In the last week of January 2007, officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Lagos international airport arrested a 31-year-old, US-based Nigerian undergraduate with 13.5 kilogrammes of cocaine. There are many more cases that cannot be narrated in the limited space available.

The growing involvement of students in criminal activities raises serious questions about the underlying factors that drive these students to enrol in university courses.

Do they use university admission as cover for their illegal activities?

In fact, why are more and more students getting involved in crime?

Improper conduct by university students is troubling because we expect universities to produce men and women of academic and research excellence, not students who excel in shameful behaviour.

Part of the reason criminal groups and gangs are flourishing in universities must be the faulty process through which universities admit undergraduate students.

Undergraduate admission into universities is rigged in favour of people, who are not earnestly driven by the quest for knowledge.

This is one scandal that has tarnished the image of universities.

Undergraduate admission places are regularly traded illegally as commodities.

Prospective students with very low scores are often offered admission in preference for those candidates, who • Prof Rukayat

achieved impressively higher scores in official examinations.

This is not to suggest that exceptionally brilliant students are not drawn to crime. However, a disintegrating education system will always produce awful outcomes.

Many students no longer see value in higher education. They believe they can achieve instantly through a successful armed robbery mission what it would take committed students to attain in four to five years of serious university education. Cutting corners is what drives this group of students. They ask questions, such as: Why bother with university studies when the academic calendar is regularly disrupted and you never know when you will graduate? Why commit to serious studies when you know you can buy your degree certificate with a couple of thousands of naira?

Anywhere you look, you will find the environment for quality university education is fast disappearing. Students are frustrated by lack of facilities, by injustices in the system that privileges the dim-witted over the more intelligent students, by intentional interruptions in academic calendar, and by immoral demands made by university lecturers and administrators.

Life in Nigerian universities is akin to living in a jungle. Quality teaching and research cannot take place in an atmosphere in which students feel they have to cut corners to achieve their learning objectives? Students are increasingly drifting toward criminality because they can’t see viable and honourable alternatives in a tertiary education system in which corrupt people are privileged, in which wealth is an emblem of authority, and in which a degree certificate is valued and recognised by the general population more than any other personal achievements. In a race for survival, many people break the codes of social conduct and ethical behaviour. These scenarios provide a perfect ground for students to take to crime.

University students may be attracted to crime partly because of

Rufa’i

our society’s endorsement of the culture of get-rich-quick in which everyone worships and adores wealthy people without asking questions about how some impoverished men and women became affluent overnight.

When students observe how political leaders and senior public officers fritter money and other resources without being prosecuted, without being called to account for their criminal behaviour, they get the message that it is easier to embezzle government funds rather than spend years struggling to complete an undergraduate degree that can only fetch them lowly paid jobs in ministries or in the private sector.

We live in a world of criminals.

Political leaders set bad examples and university students take the lead in making a bad situation worse. We cannot understand the key factors that drive students into criminal activities if we overlook our polluted social values. Students look at society and find that everyone pays lip service to hard work, honesty, patience, tolerance, and reward for excellence in the workplace.

Our society is constructed on the understanding that the best way to financial enrichment is not through hard work or personal endeavour in business or through landmark discoveries in science and technology.

Everyone wants to have a slice of the national cake legally or illegally. We see wealth as the key that opens all doors, regardless of how people obtain that key.

The foundations of our social institutions have collapsed.

Virtually all institutions of society have been bastardised. Traditional institutions are already contaminated. In every community, chieftaincy titles are conceived, designed and conferred on all manner of men and women of questionable character. The religious institution is the worst. It is difficult to distinguish between fake and genuine pastors, priests, prophets and prophetesses. They have set up their own money making prayer houses. Their strategic message is that God loves cheerful givers.

These are the people who preach the gospel of prosperity.

As I argued in a previous essay: “Each time we wonder how we got to this point, we must reflect on our past and present practices. What were those qualities that held our society together? What social values were cherished and admired in our society? To what extent are they still valued, respected or dumped? Like culture, social values are supposed to be dynamic but the social disintegration of our society must be attributed in part to the haste with which we dumped our values. A society without values is a normless society. And a society without norms is a dysfunctional society.”

We are witnessing the beginning of the end of the social fabric that holds our society together.

DAILY SUN

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

55

BUSINESS NEWS Diamond Bank posts N23.2bn pretax profit in Q3

By KELECHI MGBOJI

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iamond Bank Plc rose from a N6.9 billion loss in third quarter (Q3) of 2011 to post impressive N32.2 billion profit before tax for the first nine months of the year ended September 30, 2012, representing 435.3 percent increase.

In the audited (Q3) financial result released to the Nigerian stock Exchange (NSE) on Tuesday, the bank’s profit after tax rose 397.9 percent to N18.17 billion for the period, compared with a loss of N6.10 billion loss in the same period last year.

Gross earnings for the period increased by 47.5 percent to N110.108 billion, up from N74.646 billion in corresponding period of 2011, just as net assets of the bank rose by 15.6 percent to N106.693 billion, up from N92.304 billion last year.

In response to this sterling performance, shares of the bank turned investors’ delight on the reading floor driving the equity’s share price up by the maximum 10 percent allowed on the bourse.

The stock closed at a 13month high of N4.07 per share on the news that its earnings per share appreciated by 397.8 percent to N125.53 from N42.15 in Q3 2011.

The stock which had been volatile in recent times after reporting 2011 full-year loss of N11.3 billion however started recovery after a loan $70 million deal with the World Bank’s private sector arm, International Finance Corporation (IFC) few months ago. The convertible loan from the world bank was intended to

boost its capital base.

In its 2011 full year audited result, the bank had also recorded a loss of N11.3 billion compared with profit of N1.3 billion a year earlier.

The loss was primarily due to increased provisions for losses by 93 percent to N 44 billion from N 22 billion in the previous financial year.

In commenting on the losses it had recorded in 2011, the Group Managing Director, Dr. Alex Otti, had said: “Diamond Bank has made significant progress in cleaning up the risk assets portfolio during 2011 and is a far stronger institution today than it was this time last year. The new management team which took office under my leadership in March 2011 has consistently delivered on its promise to cautiously provide for NPLs and manage the impact of divestment from our nonbanking subsidiaries while growing the retail banking franchise and positioning us to resume loan growth in the corporate space.

We have restructured the bank’s earnings drivers in favour of non interest bearing income and risk asset generation in the top mid tier corporate space and the retail consumer space. We will continue to capitalise on our head start in the retail space by gaining more market share in 2012 servicing a rising number of Nigeria’s unbanked population. Risk management is and will remain central to this strategy ensuring our operating profitability is converted into rising and sustainable returns to our shareholders going forward.”

DBIR boss urges Jonathan to suspend TIN project From EMMANUEL OGOIGBE- WARRI

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orried by recent happenings with the team handling the Federal Government Tax Identity Number (TIN) p[roject, the Executive Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue (DBIR), Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has raised alarm over the possible failure of the TIN Project for which billions of tax payers money have been invested.

He therefore, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to put all other things on hold and allow the Acting Chairman and the project team to deliver before being disbanded to avoid losing funds already committed to it.

Joel-Onowakpo expressed this fear in a message he sent to members of the Joint Tax Board (JTB) which was obtained from an impeccable source in JTB. When contacted to comment on the apprehension, the DBIR boss said “ I am the Chairman of the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue and by extension, Delta State is very much interested and involved in the TIN project. It will interest you to know that, Delta State Bond of Internal revenue under my tenure has invested cash of about N100 million and in terms of time and resources, they are unquantifiable.

Joel-Onowakpo who said that it was these investments that qualify Delta State as one of the six pilot states in the country for the TIN Project, emphasised that having made such a huge investment, it was expected of him not to fold his hands and allow people sitting behind their desks to destroy all the efforts they have put in the past few years.

“We agree that the exit of the previous chairman was as a result of issues related to tenure timing, but what about the rush for a new Chairman. For God’s sake, we have an Acting Chairman who has been part of this project and understands it. Considering the special place this project occupies, it is sufficient for the President to put all other things on hold and allow the acting chairman and the project team to deliver the project before being disbanded other wise, we risk losing billions of taxpayers money, he concluded.

• L–R: Osita Chidoka, Corps Marshal of Federal Road Safety Corps, Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria and Ishaq Mohammed, Ag Director, Road Sector Development T0eam during courtesy visit of the World Bank Director to FRSC.

NASS queries inclusion of Bitumen in the PIB ... Promises to appropriate more funds to NGSA MERNYI, Agency (NGSA) in Abuja, noted with concern that the inclusion of Bitumen into the he Senate Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) Mines and Steel must have been done in error Development has and that if it was a deliberate expressed concern over the mistake it should be corrected inclusion of Bitumen in the before the bill is passed into petroleum sector as contained law.

Expressing concern over the in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) presently before the inadequate budgetary allocation to the agency which has National Assembly.

Chairman of the committee, retarded its activities including Senator Abdullahi Adamu who mapping of the country as led the committee members explained by the NGSA including Senator Joshua Director General, Professor Dariye, on oversight function to Siyan Malomo in a presentation the Nigerian Geological Survey during the visit, Senator Adamu From DENNIS Abuja

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urged the agency to make known to the committee its programmes, achievements and challenges enable it to ascertain how much would be appropriated to it.

Professor Malomo had earlier told the committee that out of the N3.124 billion budget proposed by the agency for the year 2012, only N2.728 billion was appropriated. He said, about 40 per cent capital funds was released, 74 per cent from overhead and 70 per cent for personnel latest by August.

According to Senator Adamu, Bitumen is one of the

Jonathan inaugurates Sovereign Investment Fund Board From JULIANA TAIWO- bility as we provide the fiscal cushion in this uncertain ecoOBALONYE, Abuja nomic times and protect our resident Goodluck national savings for future genJonathan yesterday inau- eration of Nigerians”.

“Let me state unequivocally, gurated the Board of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment that the Sovereign Wealth Fund Authority (NSIA), which is belongs to all Nigerians repreheaded by a former Deputy sented through the federal, of Central Bank of Nigeria, states and local governments Mahey Rasheed, urging it to recognizing the administrative invest the Nigeria Sovereign reality of federal system of govWealth Fund judiciously to ernment, the administration drive infrastructure for the believes that all tiers of governbenefit of future generation of ment must work to preserve the commonwealth and thereby Nigerians.

With the development, guaranteeing the future prosNigeria now joins the comity of perity of our nation” “ It is for this reason that the nations with investments in excess of $3 trillion in federal government considered Sovereign Wealth Funds world- it imperative to assemble the wide with a strong manage- group of credible citizens to ment strategy that ensures sustainability of the funds.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the president noted From ISAAC ANUMIHE, that with the Sovereign Wealth ABUJA Fund initiatives the board’s hairman of National inauguration, will usher in a Council on Privatisation new era of financial responsibil(NCP), Mr Atedo ity in Nigeria.

“We look up to you to guide Peterside has given reasons the resources of the NSIA and why Shiroro and Kainji ensure that they invest responsi- plants were concessioned bly for the benefits of our while Sapele, Ugheli and nation. We expect to see the Geregu thermal plants were NSIA active in infrastructure sold en bloc.

Speaking to Daily Sun, investment throughout the country, pulling in core Peterside said that the two hydro plants investors from home and plants were whose source is from the river abroad.

“Today’s ceremony ushers in and the river belongs to a new era of financial responsi-

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manage the Sovereign Wealth Fund”.

The President said the Board members have been selected following the rigorous process, and charged it to ensure that the fund was well managed for the benefit of Nigerians yet unborn.

“Its solemn charge and duty is to administer these resources well for the benefit of all present and future generations of Nigerians”.

“In establishing this board, which is the institutional foundation for the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, we are affirming the seriousness with which we aim to pursue the twin central tenets of the NSIA.

highly rated solid minerals in the country’s mining sector with the potentials of turning the around the fortunes of the nation’s economy and has no place in the petroleum industry.

“We are really concerned as members of the mines and steel development in the National Assembly over its inclusion in the (PIB) awaiting passage. As far as we know, Bitumen does not belong to the Petroleum sector.

“We may need to be explained why it was included in the PIB. But I can tell you that Bitumen is not part of the petroleum sector and we will ensure Bitumen is removed from the PIB and brought back to the Solid Minerals sector”, he stated.

On the alleged diversion of N700 billion solid minerals funds for other uses instead of the purpose for which it was meant, chairman of the committee said, “we are aware of that fact and did hear that the Nigerian Miners Association had raised alarm. I think it is well founded.

“Our attention has equally been drawn to it and I think there was evidence that somebody went behind to collect the money in the name of solid minerals to do another thing other than what it was meant for. But by the time he is fully briefed and advised on what to do, an action would be taken, I can assure you”, he noted.

Why Shiroro, Kainji were concessioned

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Nigerians.

According to him, the river is an asset for Nigerians and nobody can sell off his natural asset.

“Kainji and Shiroro are hydro assets. Their number one asset is the river. The river belongs to Nigeria . You can never sell River Niger . You can only give people the concession to operate on River Niger . Depending on what it does, it controls many things downstream. So, as a general rule, you cannot give away your major asset in the country. It is a power plant built on

River Niger . Without the pool of water from the river, there is no power. So, it is a concession arrangement.

Everybody accepted that. There was no controversy on it.” he said.

Also speaking Director General of Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ms Bolanle Onagoruwa, said that the hydro powers were the ones that were concessioned and they were concessioned for 15 years. Fifty-one per cent of the shares were sold with regard to the hydros and 100 per cent shares of the thermal plants were sold.

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DAILY SUN Wednesday, October 10, 2012

BUSINESS NEWS First Bank clinches NIPOST award

By OMODELE ADIGUN

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or raising volume and value of mails, First Bank Nigeria Plc has clinched this year’s Most Valuable Customer Award of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Lagos Island Territory.

Giving the Award Tuesday in Lagos to commemorate the World Post Day, the Area Postal Manager for Lagos Island Territory, Dr Asuquo Abianga, praised the bank for distinguishing itself as one of NIPOST’s prime customers.

Apart from First Bank, Mail Africa Ltd (UK) was given the Most Outstanding Customer for 2012 Award, while the awards for the Most Outstanding P O Box Renters for private and business went to another customer, Pa Adeleke Oluyemi and Afinju Oja Trading Company respectively.

Explaining the rationale behind the exercise, Abianga said: “We indeed see it as a mark of honour for us to single out some organizations and individuals who have distinguished themselves as prime customers. To this extent, the territory has specially arranged to bestow award in the following category:

The Most Valuable Customer for the year 2012 Award goes to First Bank of Nigeria Plc.We are giving this award to the bank because on monthly basis, First Bank has consistently and regularly given NIPOST the highest volume of mails worth of N12 million.

The Most Outstanding Customer Award for the year 2012 goes to Mail Africa Ltd. UK for giving us the highest single transaction in a month .The company gave NIPOST mails weighing 63 tonnes (63,000kg) which translated to N35million.This was the highest quantity of mails per month.We have not seen that for years. Pa deleke Oluyemi started business with NIPOST in 1967 when he rented his box. He has been renewing the box annually without being reminded.That is why he is being honoured with Award of the Most Outstanding P O Box Renters for private use.

As for Afinju Oja Trading Company, it rented its box for business in 1962.The company has never owed nor allowed himself to be fined before renewing.This award is our simplest way of sayng thank you for believing in us.We promise not to rest on our oars.”

L-R: Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Sales Officer, Inusa Bello, Chief Marketing Officer, Olu Akanmu, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, Deepak Srivastava and Director of Corporate Communications and CSR, Emeka Oparah, at the media launch of the company’s new Thematic Campaign at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel and Towers on Tuesday.

RMAFC to develop economic diversification roadmap From ISAAC ANUMIHE, Abuja

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s part of its efforts to promote economic diversification for sustainable national development, the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) yesterday reiterated its commitment to developing a viable roadmap for critical stakeholders.

In a statement in Abuja, the commission said the roadmap will enable stakeholders make optimum utilization of Nigeria ’s natural resources for effective economic diversification.

Speaking in Kano at a two-day Zonal Advocacy Workshop on Economic Diversification and Enhanced Revenue Generation being organized by the commission in collaboration with the Kano State

Government, Chairman of RMAFC, Engineer Elias Mbam observed that economic diversification has become imperative in order to shore up the nation’s revenue base and reduce the over-dependence on oil revenue which is subject to price volatility in the international market and possible extinction in the foreseeable future.

Mbam who was represented by Dr. Casmir Anyanwu, also stressed that the com-

We can’t guarantee crisis-free banking NCC to recruit unemployed youths system – CBN by 2013

By BISI OLALEYE he regulator of the telecoms sector, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed that aside training Nigerians massively on Information and Communication Technology, it will employ hundreds of people who are willing to work in 2013.

This revelation was made by the Commission during the tour of the almost completed Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) project, Lagos by the House of Representatives Committee on Communications.

Speaking yesterday, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo, stated it was renovating the acquired former Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (Nitel), training school for the purpose of self sustainance and to generate more revenue through facilities on ground.

“We are out to train Nigerians on ICT and collaborate with international universities, primary schools because we dream of attaining an international standard”.

Chairman, House Committee on Communications, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, speaking after an inspection of the DBI informed journalists that the House resolved to visit ongoing projects on the 2012 budget implementation to see that taxpayers’ money was being judiciously, adding that the budget allocated to NCC for the project was N51 billion.

“The level at which, we are now to be honest is a digital age in terms of broadband services and people need to be trained. I am impressed with what I’ve seen. I know this place before.

This is a good transformation. Apart from the fact that it is going to build on knowledge base, which it is meant for, there is also the issue of job creation. You can imagine how many people will be employed once this place is completed.”

“We want to see what the funds appropriated is being used for. The House is not haunting anybody; we are defending the Nigerian interest and the Nigerian public that is why we are the representatives of the people. We are doing oversight functions on the Ministry of Communications Technology, NCC and Nipost".

Ojo hinted that the committee will be in Abuja to look at Nibro and DBI. It will be in Minna to look at the emergency communications system.

“They have a lot of things to do, payment of salaries, other projects they are doing as well and they have the emergency communications centre around the whole 36 states which is going to have fire service equipment and ambulance and everything.

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From ADETUTU FOLASADEKOYI, Abuja

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entral Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor Kingsley Moughalu has told the Senate Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions that though nonperforming loans in the banking industry have been reduced from 35 per cent to 9 per cent, it will not guarantee crisis-free banking system.

According to him, since CBN injected N620 billion into the banks for recapitalization of banks “we have achieved great financial stability; AMCON has helped to stabilize banks. Most non-performing loans have been reduced from 35 per cent to 9 per cent”.

Moughalu also told the committee that the CBN would not allow people who took loans from banks to go free without repaying and revealed that over N50 billions are owed banks.

He however assured that all the banks were healthy but said he could not guarantee if the situation will remain so for long saying “we don’t know the future yet.

“CBN is watching trends in matters of oil prices and other financial markets but I can assure you that as at now, all the banks are doing well and there is no cause for alarm”, Moughalu told the committee.

He revealed N5 billion

wrongly charged by commercial banks were returned to customers.

Moughalu made the disclosure when he appeared on behalf of the CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi before the committee to brief it of activities of the apex bank.

Presenting the policy focus of the bank between 2012 and 2015 was primarily targeted at consumer protection. “CBN has recovered N5 billion in wrong charges by banks and these have been returned to the customers involved”.

“Customers would want to see that their deposits are safe and if they know there is crisis, they will lose confidence in the system. So, we take very seriously, interests of customers”.

The deputy governor equally told the committee that in addition to customer protection, the CBN would focus on supervision and regulation of banks and data integrity which would guarantee accuracy in collation of data, adding that “there should be no rooms for errors.”

mission was desirous of developing a viable framework that will guide governments at all levels on strategies for exploiting the huge natural resources that abound in all parts of the country taking into consideration their areas of endowment and comparative advantage in agriculture, manufacturing, solid minerals, tourism and internally-generated revenue.

The RMAFC boss further explained that the document to be produced in form of a compendium would be a constellation of all the proceedings arising from the series of zonal advocacy workshops being organized by the commission in all the geo-political zones in the country.

It will be recalled that the commission had earlier held similar workshops in Minna, Niger State for the NorthCentral, Abeokuta, Ogun State for the South-West and Asaba, Delta State capital for the South-South respectively, Head, Public Relations, of the commission, Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, said in a statement.

OPS urges FG to implement industrial policy to boost economy

By CHARLES NWAOGUJI

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he Organized Private Sector (OPS) has urged the federal government to immediately implement industrial policy to achieve its vision 2020 dream.

The National President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr. Herbert Ademola Ajayi, who stated this at an event held recently in Lagos, noted that to ensure speedy realization of the developmental aspirations of the Nigerian people, the implementation.

Ajayi said that despite the various government’s initiatives, programmes and reforms at the three level s of governance to drive the agen-

da, a lot of energy was dissipated on self inflicted crisis management while at the same time Nigeria continued to struggle with the bubblebust pattern characteristic of past oil price cycles.

He explained that the impact on the national economy was yet to translate to favourable result.

“We are aware that ongoing reform is the Federal government ‘s transformation and vision 2020 agenda.

Meanwhile, state governments also have to face the challenges of providing more social services demanded by citizens in order to douse complaints on the dull business environment. The situation is one of hope and a brighter future. When there is life there is hope,” he said.

He pointed out that with the commencement of government’s commercialisation and privatisation programme of public enterprises a few years ago invitation was extended to local and foreign investors in such areas as: telecommunications, electricity generation, exploration of petroleum crude and refining, coal and bitumen exploitation, hotel and tourism, among others.

NACCIMA boss noted that the Obasanjo’s administration swiftly embraced these moves, for subsequent administrations to fine-tune them to ensure the speedy realisation of the developmental aspirations of the Nigerian people, in line with Vision 2020 Agenda.

DAILY SUN Wednesday, October 10, 2012

57

BUSINESS NEWS

By CHINENYE ANUFORO

E

quities trading on the Lagos floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday closed on a positive note with stocks value appreciating by 0.83 per cent.

At the close of trading, all the NSE sectoral indices closed positive as NSE 30 which basically measures the performance of blue chips maintained gained by 1.16 per cent, NSE Food closed with 0.23 gain while NSE Banking went up by 2.53 per cent, NSE Insurance recorded 0.06 per cent gain, NSE Oil & Gas

Stock values appreciate by 0.83% …As NSE builds dealing members capacity climbed by 0.16 per cent while the New NSE LII closed gained by 0.38 per cent.

Also, the NSE All-Share Index upped by 0.83 per cent to close at 26,840.87 points from 26,618.70 points. Similarly, market capitalization appreciated by N70.74 billion to close at N8.54 trillion from N8.47 trillion in which it opened the day’s business.

The Financial sector led the activity chart with 341.72 million shares valued at N2.16 billion exchanged in 3,332 deals as against 149.09 million shares worth N1.04 billion exchanged in 2,426 deals recorded in previous session.

The volume recorded in the sector was driven by transaction in the shares of Skye Bank, Access Bank, FCMB, First Bank and NEM.

The total volume of 179.58 million shares valued at 1.22 Billion traded in the stocks accounted for 42.15 per cent of the entire market volume and their value represented 40.20 per cent of the market’s value.

Meanwhile, in line with its mandate of building the capacity of its Dealing Members, its workforce and the wider market participants, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) at the weekend organized a one-day Continuous Professional Development session for Stockbrokers and some selected staff of The Exchange.

THE DAILY STOCK SUMMARY AS AT 09/10/2012 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector Company name

No of Deals

Main Board AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. 25 PRESCO PLC 23 Sub Sector Totals 48 Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. 43 Sub Sector Totals 43 Sector Totals 91 CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. 3 TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PL C 210 U A C N PLC. 37 Sub Sector Totals 250 Sector Totals 250 CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. 29 ROADS NIG PLC. 1 Sub Sector Totals 30 Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED 17 Sub Sector Totals 17 Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 Sector Totals 48 CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers GUINNESS NIG PLC 78 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. 42 NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. 182 Sub Sector Totals 302 Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. 9 Sub Sector Totals 9 Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC 59 DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC 190 FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. 49 HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC 53 NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC 68 U T C NIG. PLC. 4 Sub Sector Totals 423 Food Products--Diversified Main Board CONSUMER GOODS Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. 99 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. 119 Sub Sector Totals 218 Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. 33 Sub Sector Totals 33 Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. 51 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. 42 Sub Sector Totals 93 Sector Totals 1,078 FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. 424 DIAMOND BANK PLC 126 ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED 112 FIDELITY BANK PLC 121 FIRST BANK OF NIG. PLC 773 FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC. 150 GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. 427 SKYE BANK PLC 119 STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC 69 STERLING BANK PLC. 101 U B A PLC 230 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. 129 UNITY BANK PLC 2 WEMA BANK PLC. 3 ZENITH BANK PLC 299 Sub Sector Totals 3,085 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 125 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 2 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. 2 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC 18 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 1 LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. 3 MANSARD INSURANCE PLC 9 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. 1 N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. 56 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 5 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. 8 1 REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC 1 STACO INSURANCE PLC 1 UNIC INSURANCE PLC. 3 WAPIC INSURANCE PLC 6 Sub Sector Totals 242 Main Board FINANCIAL SERVICES Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC 1 RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC 3 Sub Sector Totals 4

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N)

35.00 15.20

340,154 235,389 575,543

11,940,163.32 3,507,418.10 15,448,000

1.44

1,234,100 1,234,100 1,809,643

1,796,179.00 1,796,000 17,243,760.42

1.5 1.14 40.06

1 78,420 39,283,364 87,871 39,449,655 39,449,655

116,424.80 44,822,151.59 3,520,581.09 48,459,000 48,459,157.48

30.00 10.60

311,969 2,000 313,969

9,342,598.94 20,200.00 9,363,000

10.92

56,745 56,745

616,795.75 617,000

100.00

30 30 370,744

3,000.00 3,000 9,982,594.69

269.20 14.00 137.70

97,767 417,048 713,225 1,228,040

27,321,225.05 5,486,759.72 98,134,929.31 130,943,000

39.00

37,127 37,127

1,434,536.18 1,435,000

8.35 5.65 65.00 2.40 6.05 0.72

656,571 7,484,517 1,390,025 3,145,332 1,689,897 57,000 14,423,342

5,464,734.52 41,633,421.13 90,350,439.63 7,417,148.69 10,212,229.82 39,370.00 155,117,000

29.37 625.00

2,315,293 308,689 2,623,982

67,904,554.72 191,226,384.42 259,131,000

3.40

998,802 998,802

3,390,982.30 3,391,000

25.42 43.00

235,339 5,970,460.90 412,657 17,736,172.80 647,996 23,707,000 19,959,289 573,723,349.19

9.10 4.07 11.30 2.24 16.88 3.30 20.33 3.51 7.30 1.72 4.93 8.35 0.50 0.50 17.79

38,876,093 17,391,020 7,541,614 18,486,586 34,615,587 37,696,589 12,645,877 47,548,729 3,216,885 13,281,917 18,763,227 3,004,026 58,750 26,266 15,908,091 269,061,257

355,188,596.79 68,610,673.81 82,538,572.33 41,249,586.49 572,131,984.06 122,239,071.58 256,893,785.72 166,684,011.99 23,874,743.50 21,895,579.83 91,248,343.69 25,684,686.82 29,375.00 13,133.00 281,600,163.22 2,109,882,000

0.78 0.80 0.50 1.49 0.50 0.50 1.80 0.50 0.52 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.60

11,750,314 1,056,815 500,000 15,086,277 100 19,593,709 349,775 100,000 20,847,569 57,780 578,359 500 40,000 50,000 31,086 32,000 70,074,284

9,406,731.07 851,452.00 250,000.00 22,308,064.98 50.00 9,796,854.50 629,522.87 50,000.00 10,465,954.50 28,890.00 291,879.50 250.00 20,000.00 25,000.00 15,543.00 19,300.00 54,159,000

0.50 0.50

2,000 2,588,000 2,590,000

1,000.00 1,294,000.00 1,295,000

Sector Company name

No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded

Other Financial Institutions ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 Sector Totals 3,332 HEALTHCARE Medical Supplies MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. 7 FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 57 GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. 16 MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 20 NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PL C 15 Sub Sector Totals 115 Sector Totals 116 ICT IT Services NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. 2 TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. 1 Sub Sector Totals 3 Sector Totals 3 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC 37 BERGER PAINTS PLC 4 CAP PLC 18 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC 55 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 12 DN MEYER PLC. 2 LAFARGE WAPCO PLC . 42 PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC 1 Sub Sector Totals 171 Electronic and Electrical Products AUSTIN LAZ & COMPANY PLC 1 CUTIX PLC . 37 NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. 1 Sub Sector Totals 39 Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. 10 NIGERIAN BAGS MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC 58 Sub Sector Totals 68 Sector Totals 278 Main Board NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. 5 Sub Sector Totals 5 Non-Metallic Mineral Mining MULTIVERSE PLC 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 Sector Totals 6 OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC 52 Sub Sector Totals 52 Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC 208 Sub Sector Totals 208 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC 12 ETERNA PLC. 13 FORTE OIL PLC. 15 MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. 19 MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. 1 TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. 37 Sub Sector Totals 97 Sector Totals 357 SERVICES Advertising AFROMEDIA PLC 2 Sub Sector Totals 2 Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. 19 Sub Sector Totals 19 Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC 5 TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. 1 Sub Sector Totals 6 Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. 3 Sub Sector Totals 3 Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC 1 Sub Sector Totals 1 Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC 10 Sub Sector Totals 10 Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. 6 LEARN AFRICA PLC 3 UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. 4 Sub Sector Totals 13 Transport-Related Services Main Board SERVICES Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC 6 NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC 49 Sub Sector Totals 55 Sector Totals 109 Type Totals 5,668 Grand Totals 5,668

Value of Shares(N)

0.60

1,000 1,000 341,726,541

570.00 1,000 2,165,337,370.25

5.19

100 100

494.00 0

1.24 1.14 38.05 1.69 1.44

333,202 3,641,310 130,214 506,715 144,315 4,755,756 4,755,856

413,118.46 4,069,646.50 4,965,281.16 851,854.85 208,378.60 10,508,000 10,508,773.57

13.77 2.41

13,504 3,090 16,594 16,594

185,678.06 7,076.10 193,000 192,754.16

17.80 8.01 29.00 5.67 118.50 1.52 57.00 1.95

972,888 18,995 60,082 1,475,614 66,173 50,034 1,230,544 100 3,874,430

17,230,579.21 156,215.63 1,717,222.00 8,303,334.42 7,875,430.00 76,051.68 69,642,597.88 186.00 105,002,000

2.00 2.20 0.50

1,000 1,423,121 80 1,424,201

2,000.00 3,131,690.35 40.00 3,134,000

9.53 1.80

43,428 3,954,137 3,997,565 9,296,196

427,192.40 7,158,038.93 7,585,000 115,720,578.50

5.69

7,100 7,100

40,399.00 40,000

0.50

10,000 10,000 17,100

5,000.00 5,000 45,399.00

0.62

2,758,321 2,758,321

1,693,790.77 1,694,000

13.00

3,232,286 3,232,286

41,489,623.81 41,490,000

20.79 2.33 10.20 115.00 30.68 130.00

15,133 353,717 54,894 183,054 1,000 286,456 894,254 6,884,861

314,317.90 816,502.30 581,504.09 21,058,481.10 29,150.00 37,226,419.24 60,026,000 103,209,789.21

0.50

1,400 1,400

700.00 1,000

1.70

304,199 304,199

518,513.00 519,000

3.39 3.23

4,950 6,250 11,200

15,931.50 19,187.50 35,000

0.50

100,000 100,000

50,000.00 50,000

0.50

300 300

150.00 0

1.12

142,013 142,013

158,894.56 159,000

2.34 2.11 4.11

89,100 3,960 16,123 109,183

207,740.00 8,682.06 64,767.00 281,000

2.26 5.98

165,390 924,988 1,090,378 1,758,673 426,045,152 426,045,152

369,121.40 5,511,226.27 5,880,000 6,924,913.29 3,051,348,439.76 3,051,348,439.76

58

DAILY SUN

Wednesday, October 10 2012

62

Politicking ruined Nigeria’s basketball

Keshi: We won’t struggle against Liberia

DAILY SUN

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

59

Nigerian club proprietor’s confession

I stole, sold my wife’s jewelry to run club

By GEORGE ALUO and MONICA IHEAKAM

B

ernard Joman is one man who loves the round leather game to a fault and he is ready to do anything because of his passion for the game.

Joman was in London to witness the recently concluded London 2012 Summer Olympics and was not happy with the poor run of Team Nigeria. More painful to him was that the nation’s Dream Team was not in anywhere near London, a situation that made him not to enjoy the game to the fullest.

Joman, who is the proprietor of Dynamite FC of Benin, a club that played up to the quarter final of this year’s Federation Cup, told Daily Sunsports that he was not happy with the decline in Nigerian football, a situation which he attributed to the shoddy administration of the game in the country by those he called “wrong people.”

Joman said the unfortunate thing about Nigerian football was that while some people were spending their hardearned money to develop the game, another set of people were feeding fat from football.

He revealed that at a point, he had to invade his wife’s ward robe, literally stole jewelry, which he sold and used the proceeds to put his team on the road for an away tie in the amateur league. The full interview with Joman:

‘We won’t struggle against Liberia’

By GEORGE ALUO Super Eagles manager, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi says Calabar fans will see a different Super Eagles when they play host to Liberia on Saturday at the U J Esuene stadium.

The coach who spoke moments after arriving the Canaan city Monday morning said his wards will not struggle against Liberia as they did in their two previous matches against Rwanda and Namibia.

The Eagles it is recalled managed a 1-0 victory over Namibia in a World Cup qualifier and defeated Rwanda by two goals to nothing early this year at their new Calabar home. Even in victory, the Calabar fans left the arena not too impressed with the team’s showing.

Keshi while charging the fans to come out in their thousands to cheer the team in this weekend’s game equally called for prayers even as he assured that the victory this time round will be sweet, very sweet.

Hear the Eagles manager:“I am really overwhelmed by the huge reception accorded us on arrival at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport. I want to thank the leadership of the state and urge Nigerians to continue to pray for the team. By God’s grace come Saturday we will give the nation a sweet victory and qualify for the Nations Cup in South Africa”.

Keshi said one good thing going

for the Eagles ahead of the clash is the fact that all the players arrived camp early , a situation that would give him the opportunity to perfect strategies for the tie. He noted that all the players he called up are in top shape since they are all playing regularly for their clubs.

“Unlike our previous games we are having five solid days of training before the match. The boys arrived early and I think this is good for us,” Keshi said.

Only seven home based players made Keshi’s list for the all important cracker. The seven homers led

by Warri Wolves goal tender Chigozie Agbim will fight for shirt with 15 foreign based players that include Chelsea’s returnee John Mikel Obi and new boy Ogeyi Onazi who plies his soccer trade with Lazio of Italy.

The Eagles are entering into Saturday’s game with a slight edge having held the Lone Stars to a 2-2 draw in the first leg decided last month in Monrovia. The winner of the match qualified for the South Africa 2013 Nations Cup. Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2012 Nations Cup co hosted by Equatorial Guinea/ Gabon after failing to get past Guinea in the last round of the qualifiers. The Syli National of Guinea held the Eagles to a 2-2 draw at the Abuja national stadium thus shattering Nigeria’s qualification hope. The outcome of the match led to the sack of coach Samson Siasia with Keshi stepping in.

Family

For a club that was bought with 2.5 million in 2007, we are doing fine, despite the limitations we face on a regular basis. We are one of the two amateur league side that qualified for the Confederation Cup. We were in the same group with Prime FC, Rangers International of Enugu and Sharks of Port Harcourt.

In Dynamos FC, we are professional minded in our mode of play. We can boast that as an amateur side, we defeated Botswana national team 2-1 in its warm up preparation against Super Eagles in Benin.

I have been married for 4 years and I am blessed with two kids. The luck I have had so far in this venture is because I am married to a sportswoman. My wife was a former lawn tennis player and now a civil servant with the sports council she is conversant with challenges and rudiments of sports so, when I am not there she understands perfectly.

I don’t compromise my home for anything. Thankfully my wife is meaningfully engaged, when the going becomes rough in the club, she readily lends hers support to ensure that at least the home front does not lack anything.

In the first year when I newly bought the club, I had a match against Eko United, there was no money because I had just exhausted my funds in acquiring the club, I had no option than to pack my wife’s jewelries without her permission and sold them to raise money for the match.

When she came back and I confessed what I did, she quite understood, that we were able to honor the match and as a family that it made us happy.

It was unfortunate that we drew that match but it was the starting point for us. Although I have replaced the jewelry, I don’t regret that particular action because it was the lifeline that I needed to enter the foray.

Experience

Nigerian League

Club •Keshi

will say that there is joy and fulfillment in seeing your wards doing well. I believe in youth development and we have been producing many players that have played in the Under-17 national team. Our players that have played at the national level include, silver medalist, under Coach John Obuh, Aigbe Oliha, now playing in Tunis, Nosa Ehariwa, Fidelis and others.

Often times, we also get funds from transfer of players.

That is an avenue that has helped in leveraging the club.

Presently, we are worth over N100 million which is a far cry from our modest beginning in 2007.

The journey is rough all the time. You have to be well off to manage a football club especially with the way football is run in Nigeria.Everything generally is narrowed down to cash and the government-owned clubs flaunt their wealth. There are no regards for individually owned clubs, who face cash constraints mostly on a daily basis.In order to at least measure up to some degree, we bend backwards to spend money, even though we cannot hold a candle to government-funded clubs.

Why Football?

I am a hockey player right from my secondary school days and have represented this county at international competitions. In 201I, I was in the junior team that went to South Africa and in 2003; I represented Nigeria at the All Africa Games held in Abuja.

Hockey is not generally accepted and also my love and passion for football drove me into running a football club as my own way of contributing to the development of the game. It may interest you to know that hockey and football are almost the same, the difference is the foot playing and the stick playing.

The pains

As I said earlier, it is a tough thing managing a football club as an individual because you must spend money whether you have it or not.

There is no sponsor in the league we are running in this country and taking care of referees indemnity falls on us. Whether you are home or away, you must make provisions for it.

Every week, it is either you are playing at home or away. There are hotel reservations to book, fueling bus and most importantly paying players. There are times it becomes so tight that I come out clean to tell my players that “guys we will have to mange” and they will endure.

At such times, we could pair four in a room, sometimes after away matches, no matter the outcome, we filed back into the bus and headed back home that same night because there was no money to pay for hotel accommodation.

I appreciate my players much for their perseverance and understanding.

The gains I

What we have in Nigeria is a charade. It is only in this country that a team gets boardroom points without entering the field to play. In nationwide league, it is difficult for a team to win any away match.

This year, it was very glaring that Dynamos Force FC was the best team in the league. All the 8 matches we played away, the teams scored us via dubious penalty given to them by the referee because that is the only option for them to defeat us.

I was the only team that played the South West from the South South and every body focused on beating Dynamos at all cost.

What to be done

The Godfatherism syndrome is a bane in our football growth.

Many persons come to the field not to play, but to get results by intimidation and they boldly tell the refree that “I am on the field to get a win”.

For us to get it right, we have to compulsorily retire some persons to pave way for young a n d fresh minds to chart a way forward.

•Joeman

60

DAILY SUN

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

EURO LEAGUE REVIEW

Diouf spoils show for Dortm mund M

ame Biram Diouf scored four minutes from time to break Borussia Dortmund’s heart as the defending Bundesliga champion was held to a 1-1 draw at the AWD Arena by Hannover 96 in a Bundesliga match on Sunday evening.

As early as the sixth minute, there was a great save from Dortmund’s ‘keeper, Roman Weidenfeller. Sobiech picked up the ball on the edge of the area and attempted to clip the ball into the top corner but the Dortmund’s goal min-

Ligue 1 der backtracked and tipped the ball over the bar.

The defending Bundesliga champion went ahead in the 26th minute when Lewandowski scored his second league goal this season.

Piszczek broke the Hannover offside trap down the right and slid a perfect pass into the middle for the Pole who slotted home.

Two minutes later Dortmund nearly doubled its lead when Blaszczykowski went close to scor-

Wait, Ancelotti tells Only One P

Real Madrid’s Coach, Mourinho, has twice turned down approaches from PSG in the past, but last Friday told French sports channel, BeInSport: “I think being a champion in another country is a motivation for Anceotti told Le Parisien: “I am not me. I was a champion in four countries, so thinking about another club. Mourinho will why not a fifth?

“At the moment, the PSG project is in have to wait a long time.” good hands with Carlo Ancelotti and (director of football) Leonardo. So, for the moment, Paris does not need another coach.”

Ancelotti, who saw his side draw 2-2 against rival, Marseille, last weekend stressed: “My future is in Paris. I am very happy in the capital. I have a good relationship with everyone - the players, the fans, the club. I see my future here.”

He said his side still had room for improvement after last weekend’s result, explaining: “Marseille started well, then it was our turn - but we were not able to control the match after our second goal.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice to win the point, and Ancelotti added: “I’m not worried. We are in second place in the championship. Now, we are going to use the international break to recover and regain energy.”

•Ancelotti aris Saint-Germain’s Coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has told Jose Mourinho he was not going anywhere soon after the Portuguese revealed that he could be interested in managing the club one day.

La Liga

R

eal Madrid’s Coach, Jose Mourinho, has welcomed Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Barcelona at the Camp Nou as a true reflection of the game.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for the visitors before Messi took advantage of poor defending to net an equaliser before the break.

Messi then scored a second through a well-taken freekick in the second half, but the lead was cancelled quickly as Ronaldo also scored his second goal of the match.

“For me, the result reflects the match,” Mourinho told reporters. “I, as a coach, I enjoyed it, and I’m sure (Tito) Vilanova and the (Barcelona) players did too.

“I’ll take this outcome. It is a true reflection of the match overall.

It was tightly fought and nobody knew what the outcome was going to be until the last minute. There were opportunities to score for both teams.”

Mourinho added that he was happy with the progress made by his side over the past two seasons to bridge the gap which existed between it and its fierce rival.

“I arrived two years ago and there was a difference in the quality of football between Madrid and Barcelona,” said Mourinho.

ing. Lewandowski left the ball on the edge of the area and the Pole stepped up and whipped a left-footed shot towards the bottom right corner but it went a whisker by the post.

In the 36th minute, there was great worry for Dortmund as Jakub Blaszczykowski attempted to cross the ball in and went down in a heap near the corner flag. He got himself off the field to receive treatment. It didn’t look too good for him as four minutes later he was not able to continue when Kevin Grosskreutz came in to replace him.

A minute before the break, Dortmund got a lifeline after a fantastic clearance from Piszczek.

Ya Konan received a pass from Schlaudraff and took the ball around Weidenfeller before shooting towards the empty net but the Polish international was there to clear the ball off the line.

Ten minutes into the second half, Mario Eggimann slotted home after a corner kick but the referee disallowed the goal because Ya Konan appeared to have hauled Schmelzer to the ground. It was a bit harsh but probably the right decision. The Hannover fans gave referee Peter Gagelmann a chorus of boos after that decision. They thought they were back in the by Text-Enhance” On the hour mark, there was great danger for the visitors. Dortmund defender, Piszczek, deflected the ball towards his own goal from a cross but his goalkeeper helped him out with a fantastic save to turn the ball round the post.

Four minutes from time, the home side found the all important goal it had been seeking. It was heartbreak for the visitor. Mame Diouf made up for his earlier miss by getting on to a loose ball at the back post and swivelled quickly to turn the ball towards the far post with a left-footed strike to make it 1-1 in the 86th minute.

This result could be damaging for Dortmund. The Bundesliga champion simply cannot continue letting points slip with the domestic form that rivals Bayern Munich is in. The draw means Hannover protected its 21-game unbeaten run at home in the Bundeslig

Mourinho welcomes draw “Now, Barcelona has maintained the high level and both teams are equal. I want to keep going.”

Barcelona remains at the top of the La Liga standings with 19 points, while Madrid moved up to 5th place with 11 points.

•Mourinho

•Diouf

DAILY SUN

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

61

EURO LEAGUE REVIEW

It’s fight to the finish against Chelsea –AVB TABLES

A

ndre Villas-Boas set his sights on halting Chelsea’s unbeaten run after guiding Tottenham to an impressive fourth straight Barclays Premier League win on Sunday.

Spurs followed up their historic win over Manchester United by strolling to a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa that came courtesy of goals from Steven Caulker and Aaron Lennon.

The Londoners played some of their best football of the season, and they are now joint fourth in the table with Everton, that is five points short of table-topper, Chelsea.

Chelsea won the Champions League two months after Villas-Boas left and it has started this season in supreme form, dropping just two

Premiership points from its opening seven games.

But with Spurs now exhibiting the same kind of football that brought them so much praise under Villas-Boas’ predecessor, the Portuguese is confident of ripping up the Blues’ unbeaten record when they play each other a week on Saturday at White Hart Lane.

He said: ‘It’s obviously going to be a difficult game, but we are showing good levels of competence and we hope to profit from the fact that we play at home and profit from the fact that we play an unbeaten league leader to help on our motivation to try to beat them.’

Villas-Boas thinks the game will be a good test to see whether his side is capable of attaining the top-four position that was demanded of him when he signed a three-year contract at White Hart Lane this summer.

He added: ‘It will give us the chance to

finally break into the top four and join the elite of the Premier League which is what we have been wanting for quite some time.’

•Caulker

Ban on Antonio Conte slashed to four months J uventus’ Coach, Antonio Conte’s, match-fixing ban was reduced from 10 to four months last Friday by Italy’s sports arbitration court.

Conte can now return Dec. 8 instead of next June. The ban stems from wrongdoing when Conte coached Siena in Serie B two seasons ago.

The reduction came after the panel apparently concluded that Conte did not keep forward Salvatore Mastronunzio out of Siena’s squad because he refused to participate in fixing, as had been suggested.

Conte remains guilty of failing to report fixing in a match between Siena and Albinoleffe in the 2010-11 season.

Conte came under suspicion during the testimony of Filippo Carobbio, who played under Conte at Siena. After he was arrested, Carobbio said his former coach was aware of a fix for the 2-2 draw between Novara and Siena in May, 2011.

FIFA extended the ban worldwide last month. ‘’My view hasn’t changed.

Antonio Conte is an innocent man and completely innocent of what he has been accused of,’’ Juventus president Andrea Agnelli said. ‘’The confirmation of the ban is unfair and should make people pause for reflection over the

Serie A

T •Klopp

Barcelona Atlético Málaga Betis Real Madrid Mallorca Sevilla Valladolid Getafe Rayo Levante Celta Vigo R Sociedad Valencia Granada Athletic R Zaragoza Deportivo Osasuna Espanyol

P 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

W 6 6 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 0

D 1 1 2 0 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 2 2 2 0 3 1 2

Bundesliga results and would rather concentrate on his own side.

“We play our own season and only twice against Bayern Munich,” said Klopp. “These games are very interesting, but they are not the final result after seven games.”

Robert Lewandowski put the champion ahead after 26 minutes before a late equalizer from Mame Biram Diouf gave the visiting side a point in a game that saw Dortmund suffer injuries to Jakub Blaszczykowski, Mats Hummels and Sven Bender.

L 0 0 1 3 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 3 3 3 5 3 5 5

GD 12 10 7 -1 7 2 1 4 -2 -5 -5 1 -3 -1 -4 -5 -4 -5 -4 -5

PTS 19 19 14 12 11 11 11 10 10 10 10 9 9 8 8 8 6 6 4 2

L 0 2 0 1 1 1 1 2 3 2 3 1 1 3 4 4 5 3 4 5

GD 11 8 7 6 5 4 8 0 4 -3 1 1 -2 -3 -6 -6 -8 -5 -12 -10

PTS 19 15 15 14 14 14 12 11 10 9 8 8 7 6 5 5 4 3 3 2

L 0 1 1 1 2 2 1 3 3 2 3 4 4 4 3 4 4 5

GD 19 6 8 8 5 2 3 -1 -1 -3 1 -3 -4 -7 -7 -6 -11 -9

PTS 21 16 14 12 11 11 10 10 10 9 8 7 7 7 6 5 5 4

L 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 4 4 3 3 5 3 4 4 3

GD 13 11 6 5 2 -2 -3 0 0 4 0 -1 -8 -4 -4 -8 -4 -5 -6 0

PTS 19 19 15 15 11 11 11 10 9 8 7 7 7 6 6 6 5 5 5 2

English Premiership Chelsea Man Utd Man City Everton Tottenham West Brom Arsenal West Ham Fulham Newcastle Swansea Stoke Sunderland Liverpool Wigan Aston Villa Southampton Reading Norwich QPR

P 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 7 7 7 7 6 7 7

W 6 5 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0

D 1 0 3 2 2 2 3 2 1 3 2 5 4 3 2 2 1 3 3 2

entire football system.’’

Conte’s first match back will come at Palermo on Dec. 9, and he’ll also be available if Juventus advances to the knockout phase of the Champions League.

Assistant coach, Massimo Carrera, has been filling in on the touchline, while Conte is unavailable, and after six matches, Juventus is tied for the Serie A lead with Napoli.

In all, Conte will have missed 15 Serie A matches and all six of Juve’s group games in the Champions League. After two matches, Juventus has two points in the Champions League, two points behind Group E leaders, Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk.

In Conte’s first season with Juve, the Bianconeri went undefeated for its first Serie A title since before the 2006 match-fixing scandal. German Bundesliga P W D The unbeaten run in the league is now at 45 7 7 0 matches, second only to AC Milan’s record 58, Bayern set during the 1990-91, 91-92, and 92-93 sea- Frankfurt 7 5 1 sons.

Schalke 04 7 4 2 Dortmund 7 3 3 Hannover 96 7 3 2 Leverkusen 7 3 2 F Düsseldorf 7 2 4 Hamburg SV 7 3 1 Mainz 7 3 1 M’gladbach 7 2 3 SC Freiburg 7 2 2 Bremen 7 2 1 Hoffenheim 7 2 1 Nurnberg 7 2 1 Stuttgart 7 1 3 FC Augsburg 7 1 2 Wolfsburg 7 1 2 SpVgg Fürth 7 1 1 •Antonio Conte

Bayern Munich form no threat – Klopp he BVB coach says that he is unconcerned by the start the club’s close rival has made despite trailing the Bavarians by nine points in the Bundesliga.

Borussia Dortmund’s Coach, Jurgen Klopp, has revealed he was unperturbed

by Bayern Munich’s impressive showings so far in the league season.

Jupp Heynckes’s side is top on the table after winning all of its first seven games, but Klopp, who was speaking after his side’s 1-1 draw at home to Hannover, said he was not overly troubled by Bayern’s

Spainish La Liga

Italian Serie A Juventus Napoli Lazio Inter Fiorentina Catania AS Roma Sampdoria Genoa Torino Milan Bologna US Pescara Udinese Parma Chievo Cagliari Palermo Atalanta Siena

P 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

W 6 6 5 5 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 2

D 1 1 0 0 2 2 2 2 3 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 2 2 1 2

62

DAILY SUN

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

BASKETBALL NBBF moves National Division One Championship to Abuja

T

he hosting right granted Benue State for the National Division One Championship has been withdrawn forthwith by the

NBA - training camp Ike Diogu swells Suns’ camp

T

he Suns might replace a Wildcat with the Sun Devil, who was drafted number one pick after him seven years ago.

Arizona State’s former star power forward, Ike Diogu, was added to the Suns’ training camp roster.

Diogu, 29, is a six-year NBA veteran who has played 225 career games with Golden State (2005-07), Indiana (2006-08), Portland (2008-09), Sacramento (2008-09), the Los Angeles Clippers (2010-11) and San Antonio (2011-12). This summer, Diogu starred for the Nigerian national team at the Olympics with 14.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per game with 45 percent shooting.

His rebound average was second best in the Olympics. Digou was drafted ninth overall by Golden State in 2005, one pick after New York had selected Frye.

Diogu is known as an efficient scorer in the post and with his mid-range shot and is a strong rebounder, but has been questioned defensively and athletically.

He is undersized at 6 feet 8 for a power forward but has a 7-4 wingspan.

•Ogunade

Politicking ruined Nigeria’s basketball L

ast week, Nigeria marked her 52nd Independence anniversary but to chairman, Lagos State Basketball Association, Babs Ogunade, who incidentally is also a member of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), the anniversary calls for reflection to look inwards and seek ways of correcting the irregularities that have stunted the growth of the game in Nigeria.

He notes in this chat with Freethrow on Independence Day that going by the calibre of stars that Nigeria has produced over the years, her standard of basketball should have gone higher than her present level, stressing that a man, who does not lay proper foundations for his life at 52 years, will find it difficult to start now.

“At 52 years of nationhood, I had expected that we would have made an appreciable progress in the game, but there has been too much antagonism among ourselves which has left us in a worse position. And I think that perhaps, the present poor rating is necessary for us to move forward. I must confess that we’ve left several things undone and I think that since change is the only constant thing in life, we can still make amends.”

He said that for Nigerian basketball to make the desired impact, there is a need for all stakeholders to come together and draw a road map that would lead

the country to the promised land.

“First, there is a need for us to put proper structures in place for our basketball and work towards making the domestic league more attractive than it is at the moment.

We’re doing many flip flops at the moment and in all of the confusion, our players qualified for the London 2012 Olympic Games even when no one gave them a chance to. It was a big celebration and forget that USA beat us with a difference of 83 points when we met. Those boys have made a statement for our basketball and it’s time for us to build on the gains of that showing.

Though, he is delighted at the qualification of the Olumide Oyedeji-led D’ Tigers, he insists

– Ogunade there’s a disconnect in all of it because it is not a true reflection of the domestic league. “I believe that we can run basketball better because if people could pay as much as N10, 000 for the Celebrities vs Dodan Warriors face off game at the Harbour Point earlier in the year, I don’t see why if we package the domestic league well, we’ll not attract the same patronage. To imagine that these celebrities cannot even shoot the ball to save their lives could have such a good concept speaks volumes for Nigerian basketball.

Players in the domestic league,

according to him, deserve better encouragement just as the clubs deserve to get more of the sponsorship money. He said that if clubs had better funding, the players would benefit more and their game would improve. “What gets to the players at the end of the day is very negligible, better remunerations would, no doubt, motivate them to give their best.”

America, he said, experimented with sports to curb crime and it paid off. “In Nigeria today, we could do the experiment to see the difference. Government should pay more attention to keeping the youths busy, else the money they would have used to keep them in sports,would be used to fight crime.”

Senegal joins Mali in U-19 World Championship field

Y

acine Diop was named 2012 FIBA Africa Under-18 Championship for Women MVP as host, Senegal, knocked off Mali 55-50 for her first gold medal in 27 years. By reaching the final, both nations booked their spots in the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championship for Women.

Diop collected 7 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists in the final in Dakar and fellow All-Tournament Team member, Aminata Kamara collected 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Mali took silver as the team was led

by center Aminata Traore, Mariam Kone and Fanta Guindo. Traore and Guindo both played for Mali at the 2012 Olympic qualifying Tournament in Ankara.

Traore, who turned 17 October 7, but had 26 and 8 rebounds in Mali’s 69-54 win over Egypt in the semifinals, joined Diop and Kone on the All-Tournament side along with point guard, Soraya Deghady, from bronze medalist, Egypt and Hamrouni Houda from fourth placed Tunisia.

Senegal’s Head Coach, Birahim Gaye, called the title - the nation’s first Under-18 Women’s Africa crown

since 1985 over Mozambique - a “thrilling moment”.

“This is the fruit of a long process that comes to completion”, said the coach.

“I am very happy and proud to play for my country and I would say this whenever the country selects me,” said Diop, who will get a chance to play on the world stage next summer at the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championship for Women.

Senegal and Mali booked spots 12 and 13 for the 16-team field at the July 1828 tournament in Lithuania.

Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF. The President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Tijani Umar, made this known, while reacting to a story on the postponement published last week saying that the venue has been moved to Abuja for October 14 - 20, 2012. He said that the federation was bent on carrying out the national division championship, so as to help them determine on time the new entrants into the DStv Premier Basketball League for the 2012/ 2013 season.

“The NBBF wants to run her programmes to a logical conclusion because we must be ready for the new season. To be ready for the flagship championship of the NBBF, we need to conclude the national Division One championship scheduled for Benue State.”

He said that the federation was not looking back on its programmes. “We’ve told the Benue State Basketball Association that the championship could not be shifted as we’re expecting nothing from them to organise it. Clubs are keen on playing and we cannot discourage them because it is not convenient for them. We should have it at the back of our minds that the National Sports Festival is just around the corner and should they insist, we’ll move it to another venue because there’s also Division Two and the Ladies Open Championship billed for Minna, Niger State shortly after the festival.

African Women Club Championship

No pros for First Deepwater BC

W

ith only a few days to the commencement of the African Women Club Championship holding in Abidjan, Cote d’ Ivoire, the First Deepwater Basketball Club of Lagos has concluded that only players who were part of the team’s success this season would make the trip.

Reliable camp sources told Freethrow that the back-to-back champion of the women’s league in Nigeria has jettisioned the idea of importing professional players to help it prosecute the championship.

“Before now, we were in discussions with some players from Senegal to join others, but that has changed now because we could not reach a conclusion and as such we’ve decided that all the players that were part of our success last season would have to be part of it.

The best 12 players will be selected by our technical crew for the championship.”

Head Coach of the First Deepwaters Basketball Club, Lateef Erinfolami, says his girls are in high spirits for the championship and would shock other teams. “With or without professional players, we’re set to make the difference,” he said.

DAILY SUN Wednesday, October 10, 2012

63

Writes on:

N150 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012 *VOL.7 NO. 2470

‘Universities as nest of criminals

Nigerians are angry (Re: See Uyo and get angry)

STEVE NWOSU

FRANK TALK 08055001934 styveng@yahoo.co.uk

W

ithin 20 minutes of my last article, “See Uyo and get angry” hit the newsstand, I realised the determination of people from some two or so states to “appropriate” all the anger.

Even though I mentioned the states, which I felt their governors were on top of the game, I carefully avoided any mention of the states whose governors had literally gone to sleep. But, for some reason, reactions from Aba, the prostrate council live wire of the South-East, seemed to have identified more with the article, insisting that they were not satisfied with just getting angry: they actually want to feel like stoning someone.

While responses from Delta and Kogi showed some restraint, those from Aba were literally crying for blood. Here are some of their views: 08080703550 I am not from Akwa Ibom… But have heard so much of the beautiful things, going on there… Bless you for concurring…

Uche Obi (abj) 08037050558 Mr. Nwosu. thank you for your piece on good governance on today’s Sun newspaper. Keep the pressure on these dishonest politicians. T.A. Orji’s boys claim that bad roads in Aba are the Federal Government’s responsibilities. No road that I traveled through inside the city of Aba three weeks ago was worth calling a road. They are all “obstacles” or “death-traps.” The whole city has been literarily ‘destroyed’. Why!?

What sin or offence did Aba and Abia commit against T.A? My name is Emeka 08183985145 Good morning, editor. I have become addicted to your paper and would like to assist your journalists in Lagos on focused stories they write. Thanks. 08052012374

No security in Delta. Everyday Nppin!

From Isoko South LGA, Delta State.

Ejiro Daniel 0802332251 As I read yesterday’s Daily Sun edition, the back page was about Akpabio but

behold, I told myself it’s just one of those journalists, singing politician’s praise song.

Well, just as Mr. Kalu, former Abia State governor has been a hero in your paper these past days, though I give no qualms to that since he owns ‘The Sun’ and more, all the write ups were never from you. I always look forward to Wednesday edition of The Sun because of ‘FRANK TALK,’ but, sincerely, Steve, today’s edition of ‘FRANK TALK’ is not all frank. Yes! The flood issue is frank but not Akpabio issue. 07033560148 Dear Steve, you made this costly mistake after your excellent page. In fact, I hardly write but for this I have to react to you, preaching against violence. This Iisnot welcomed; non performing governors must be stoned. Come to Aba/Abia and see the reason to stone such governors. If not that your page is tonic to me, I would come and stone you.

Jude, Aba 08022676595 I am a telecom engineer, so, I go places. I passed Uyo on August 30, this year and I got angry with my governor, Chime, who I had praised. You are telling the truth, bro.

08033886964 Bro, Steve. What angers me most is the fact that Abia State shares boundary with Akwa Ibom State, is among the oil producing states, yet the governor is blind that he can’t see what is happening in his neighbouring state and he is about to complete wasted

Star Letter Steve, haven read your angry article, I can’t but commit this short prayer to God of Abraham, God of Isaac and God of Jacob:

Dear Lord, good morning, Sir. I know you are God of all creatures; you don’t make mistakes.

But Lord, are you the one that created my state governor, T.A. Orji?

Because we Abians may re-create him if you don’t call him back. We need an answer before 2015.

Thank you, Lord.

•Chief J. J. Ibeka, Lagos 07065773998

eight years.

Onosike, Lagos 08034264868 Dear Steve, it seems you still have an axe to grind with your governor, Owelle Rochas.

You didn’t even mention him in today’s article (or any article for that matter). Common, Nigeria knows you as our conscience, you are bigger than playing politics with journalism, give the man some due credit.

Jones O. 08035432513 Today’s presentation on massive and

aggressive development of Uyo and Akwa Ibom State in general by governor Akpabio is a masterpiece. Keep it up.

Obinwa Akanwa 08134909795 Steve, your write up on Uyo portrays Asaba and Delta capital territory to look like a town in 1934, which is the last four digits of your glo number. Ike Momah 08033236162 Were you really angry or you wanted to naturalise? Welcome and God bless. Call me at your opportuned moment pls.

08076290514 Don’t you think that Igbo governors, Ohaneze of Ndigbo in Lagos public schools, etc. should agree with non Igbo state governors and employ Igbo teachers and pay them to teach Igbo language in public schools outside Igboland to save the language from extinction ?

From Chief Idioha 08033261431 We must have been at drawn daggers on first contact but I must say that your “See Uyo and get angry” is a master piece.

My thumb is up. 08037452735 Steve, most people, who win governorship election in Nigeria are NOT performers but looters. What did you expect from them when nearly all state governors want to own property in all the continents of the world (GREED). Akpabio is a performer as can be testified by the retinue of awards his performance has brought to him.

Governors should read your piece and be angry for themselves.

Umunnakwe Emeka Henry, Jos 08060128827 My dear Steve, my b/p came down to 70/110 after going through your write up, I have always told my friends that where dividends of democracy are denied are the South-East. Recently, I visited Enugu State (Nsukka) and could not believe what I saw compared to Ikot Ekpene. Look at Kaduna today, look, Igbo governors failed Igbo race; no focus, no vision. Dubai was a creation of leaders with vision; Igbo are traders and entrepreneurs but no leader with vision.

08065242668 Steve, your piece ‘See Uyo and get angry’ made a nice reading and good update to many of us. However, it should have been, “See Uyo and revolt against your state governor.’ You may say I am trying to set you up against your employers or powers that be. The truth is that lots of our rulers are deceivers but they will later find out that they deceived themselves. God will remember this putrefying country one day and

Continued on Page 54

Page 54

I’ll be the joker against Liberia …Ahmed Musa tells Keshi

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SKA of Moscow player, Ahmed Musa, believes he could be the man to send Nigeria to next year’s Nations Cup in South Africa if Coach Stephen Keshi will allow him play an attacking role in Saturday’s Nations Cup qualifier.

Musa said he had all it took to do the damage because his club had withdrawn him from the wings to the frontline and it paid off for them.

“As a result of injuries to CSKA Moscow’s first choice strikers, I for most part of this season, has been withdrawn from the wings to the front-line by Coach Leonid Slutsky. I did not disappointed Slutsky, in fact, I netted four goals in his last six games.

“I would like to play as the main striker, but I think the coach knows where best to play me and wherever he plays me, I will do my best for him.’’

The ex Kano Pillars’ player was on target in the Eagles’ last competitive game against Rwanda in June.

Eagles camp bubbles as pros fly in

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en foreign professionals have now joined the Super Eagles at the Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar for Saturday’s AFCON qualifier against Liberia.

The 10 foreign-based players who joined the seven players from the Nigeria Premier League inlude; Austin Ejide, Vincent Enyeama, Nosa Igiebor, Ikechukwu Uche, Elderson Echejile, Ahmed Musa, Obiora Nwankwo, Efe Ambrose and Brown Ideye.

Also in are three exciting youngsters, Ogenyi Onazi of Lazio, Inter Milan’s Joel Obi and Chelsea new boy, Victor Moses, whose girlfriend recently put to bed a bouncing baby boy in London.

Three other professional players are expected to come on time yesterday before dinner so that they would participate in the morning and evening trainings today.

There is a relaxed atmosphere in the training camp with Coach Stephen Keshi taking on Victor Moses over his newly born son.

“Does the boy look like you or like the mother”? Keshi pressed on, and Moses replied, “Coach, he looks pretty much like me,” and the dining hall erupted in laughter.

In the meantime, Eagles’ goalkeeper trainer, Ike Shorunmu, was excited yesterday morning when the team had their second training at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

At the time of the session, Shorunmu was the only technical crew member that had his team of three goalkeepers complete, as Vincent Enyema, Austin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim were already in town, rearing to go.

He promptly seized the opportunity of the keepers’ early arrival to drill them.

“I’m happy with the form of all the three keepers and I must say any of them could be in goal on Saturday with what I have seen so far. All they need is a little pep up from the public perception of them and we are already getting results even on that,” he said.

Shorunmu called on Nigerians to always support the team and not to put the blame at the doorstep of only the goalkeepers.

Published by THE SUN PUBLISHING LIMITED, 2, Coscharis Street, Kirikiri Industrial Layout, Apapa, P.M.B. 21776, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Telephone: 01-8980932, 6211239, Fax: 5895396 Advert Hotline: 01-7900632, 6211236, ABUJA OFFICE: 2nd Floor, Gouba Plaza, Utako District, Phone: 09-8700273-6. ISSN 0795-7475.

All Correspondence to the above mail addresses.

Website: www.sunnewsonline.com •Printed simultaneously in Lagos, Aba & Abuja EDITOR: STEVE NWOSU

CMYK